Apple has announced new health and fitness features for Apple Watch and iPhone, including a new Health Sensing System for Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, along with a redesigned Health app with Apple Intelligence.
The New Health Sensing System on Apple Watch
Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 feature new optical and electrical heart sensors through the Health Sensing System. Apple says the system enables the most accurate heart rate sensing in a wearable.
The system adds:
- Heart rate: Measured every five seconds throughout the day.
- HRV: Measured as often as every five minutes, which Apple says is 24 times more frequently than before.
- Vitals: Adds HRV and a new daytime Vitals view.
- Heart Rate app: Adds a dedicated HRV section and real-time heart rate information.
- Activity rings: Continuous heart rate measurements improve Exercise and Move Activity ring accuracy.
Apple says a scientifically rigorous study involving more than 1,000 participants across demographic groups compared the new Apple Watch heart rate sensing with leading wearables. Apple Watch showed the highest heart rate accuracy among the devices included in the study.
The optical heart sensor uses larger, power-efficient green LEDs. Real-time heart rate can also be viewed through the updated Heart Rate app and new watch face complications.
The Heart Rate app separates HRV into two measurements:
- Recovery HRV: Identifies daily signals of stress and recovery.
- Overall HRV: Provides broader health information, including cardiovascular health.
Higher HRV is generally associated with better overall recovery. Overnight Vitals includes Recovery HRV analyzed against a user’s personal baseline, while the daytime Vitals view lets users switch between overnight and daytime metrics to identify potential changes before they appear in overnight data.
Readiness
The new readiness experience combines recent activity, vitals, and sleep score into a daily score from 0 to 10 on Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. It provides one of four recommendations:
- Recover
- Pace Yourself
- Ready
- Go For It
The score updates throughout the day as new data arrives, including after an intense workout or a change in daytime vitals. Users can see the factors contributing to the score and access additional details. Apple developed the algorithm using data from the Apple Heart and Movement Study in collaboration with exercise scientists and physicians at Apple.
Redesigned Health App
Apple Intelligence extends to the Health app with iOS 27 and iPadOS 27. The redesigned app adapts to a user’s health and fitness metrics, providing a long-term view with insights and personalized guidance.
The new Insights tab updates throughout the day across:
- Heart
- Sleep
- Readiness
- Fitness
- Vitals
- Cycle tracking
The For You section provides recommendations and relevant articles based on a user’s data, such as a wind-down routine after a period of late nights. Apple says the redesigned Health app keeps health data private and secure.
Longevity
The Longevity tab analyzes long-term data across heart health, sleep, mental wellbeing, movement health, metabolic health, hearing, and nutrition. It includes Health Age, which compares Apple Watch health metrics with a user’s chronological age and is informed by the best available science.
Health Age can factor in:
- VO2 max
- Resting heart rate
- Sleep
- HRV
Users can add lab data such as A1c and LDL. The Longevity tab can also use information from iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods, clinical health records, and third-party apps and devices. A visualization shows status across different health categories, while new evaluations, at-home movement assessments, and lab tests can provide additional information.
Movement Evaluations
The Health app will offer at-home physical assessments using the iPhone camera and Apple Watch to measure:
- Flexibility
- Strength
- Balance
- Movement mechanics
- VO2 max
The assessments run entirely on-device, with no video recorded, stored, or shared. Vision-based AI models provide real-time audio and visual feedback, with clinicians contributing to their development.
Labs and Health Content
The Health app already supports importing existing lab results and viewing trends. It will also let users schedule and purchase new lab tests covering more than 50 key biomarkers for $119 through approximately 2,000 Quest Diagnostics locations in the U.S.
Health content will include videos and articles that overlay users’ data with insights from Apple Health clinical experts. Examples include:
- Lab results: An expert video can explain LDL levels, what the results mean, and possible steps to improve them.
- Movement assessments: A balance issue can lead to an expert video and exercise plan with movements selected according to the user’s ability and needs.
The redesigned Health app will be available later this year, initially in U.S. English, with additional languages to follow.
Perimenopause and Menopause
With iOS 27, Cycle Tracking adds support for perimenopause and menopause, along with notifications for cycle deviations that include perimenopause.
Users can:
- Log perimenopause or menopause status
- Track related symptoms
- Monitor cycle patterns
The Health app can notify users when bleeding occurs after menopause, prompting them to speak with a doctor. For users aged 40 and over, it can also flag a logged cycle pattern deviation suggestive of perimenopause. Apple notes that symptoms can begin years before the last period and may go unrecognized. New educational articles and tips will also be informed by clinical experts.
More Health and Fitness Features
With iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, and watchOS 27, Apple is also adding:
- Workout Buddy: Runs on Apple Watch without an iPhone nearby, incorporates additional fitness data, and is available in English and Spanish.
- GymKit: AirPods Pro 3 can sync heart rate data through iPhone with compatible gym equipment, including treadmills and indoor bikes.
- Treadmill readings: New machine learning models improve distance calculations from the first step of a walk or run.
Availability
watchOS 27 will be available beginning Monday, September 14, for:
- Apple Watch Series 9 or later
- Apple Watch SE 3
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later
It requires an iPhone 11 or later or iPhone SE 3 with iOS 27.
The redesigned Health app will be available on Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone and iPad models running the latest software, with some features available only on iPhone. Not all features are available on all devices, regions, or languages.
- Health Age: Requires Apple Watch.
- VO2 max estimation test: Requires Apple Watch, AirPods Pro 3, or a third-party heart rate sensing device.
- Age requirement: Some features require users to be 18 or older.
Features are subject to change, and availability may vary due to local laws and regulations.