Apple is scaling back its plans for a virtual AI-based health coach, according to people familiar with the matter. The initiative, code-named Mulberry, was recently wound down, with Apple now planning to release select features individually over time within its Health app, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported.
AI-Powered Health Coach Plans & Delays
The project, internally referred to as Health+, aimed to provide AI-driven health recommendations for the first time, combining surveys, health assessments, Apple Watch data, and external lab reports. The service was initially scheduled to launch with iOS 26, then delayed to iOS 27, before Apple revised its strategy.
Services chief Eddy Cue, who took over the health division after Jeff Williams retired, told colleagues that Apple needs to move faster and compete more effectively in the health space, as rivals such as Oura Health, Whoop, Samsung, and Strava offer features that are considered more compelling and useful.
Rollout & Other Features
Apple set up a content studio in Oakland, California, to produce Health app videos covering medical conditions, wellness guidance, and training plans. Some of this content, along with features such as suggestions based on existing Health app data, will be rolled out later this year.
Another feature still under development is gait analysis using the iPhone camera. Apple continues to expand device health capabilities, including sleep-apnea detection, hypertension notifications, and long-term efforts to develop a noninvasive glucose monitoring sensor.
Looking Ahead
Apple is developing an AI chatbot using its internal World Knowledge Answers system, allowing users to ask health-related questions and receive guidance. This system is designed to compete with Google’s Gemini and apps like Perplexity.
Additionally, a new Siri chatbot, scheduled to debut with iOS 27, will support more advanced health interactions across the Health app and Apple’s operating systems.