Health Connect is designed to facilitate fast, convenient integration
between client apps and the Health Connect API.

The following diagram shows the integration between a client app and
the Health Connect API through the SDK layer and IPC (Inter-Process Communication):

![architecture](https://developer.android.com/static/guide/health-and-fitness/health-connect/images/healthconnectimage1.jpg)
| **Note:** The Health Connect SDK supports Android 8 (API level 26) at the minimum, while the Health Connect app is only compatible with Android 9 (API level 28) or higher. This means that third-party apps can support users with Android 8, but only users with Android 9 or higher can use Health Connect.

## Architecture components

**1. Software development kit**

The SDK enables the client app to communicate with the Health Connect APK, over IPC.

**2. Client app**

To integrate with Health Connect, client apps link the SDK into their health and fitness app. This provides an API surface that facilitates interaction with the Health Connect API.

**3. Health Connect APK**

The Health Connect APK is the main substance of the Health Connect API, and contains both its Permissions Management and Data Management components. The Health Connect APK is made available directly on the user's device.

**4. Permissions management**

Health Connect includes a user interface through which apps request a user's permission to display data.

It also provides a list of existing user permissions, allowing users to easily control access to data across multiple applications.

**5. Data management**

Health Connect provides a user interface with an overview of recorded data, whether it's a user's step count, cycling speed, heart rate, or any other [supported data types](https://developer.android.com/reference/kotlin/androidx/health/connect/client/records/package-summary#classes).