Apple Unveils Redesigned Health App With Apple Intelligence, Watch Readiness Score

A redesigned Health app with Apple Intelligence insights will arrive later this year, while Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 add higher-frequency heart sensing and a daily readiness score, Apple announced Wednesday, September 9.

New Apple Watch health sensing

The new Health Sensing System uses updated optical and electrical heart sensors. Larger, more power-efficient green LEDs let the two new watches measure heart rate every five seconds throughout the day, while heart rate variability can be measured as often as every five minutes - 24 times more frequently than before. Recovery HRV is intended to show daily stress and recovery signals, while overall HRV provides a broader measure that includes cardiovascular health.


Apple says its heart rate accuracy study included more than 1,000 participants and found the new system was the most accurate among the tested wearables. The company conducted the study in July and August 2026 using commercially available bestselling wearables that were available as of June.

The Vitals app now adds Recovery HRV to its overnight view and compares it with a user's personal baseline. A separate daytime view can surface changes before they appear in overnight readings, though Apple notes that Vitals is intended for wellness purposes and not medical use.

Readiness score

Readiness combines recent activity, vitals, and sleep score into a daily score from 0 to 10. It assigns one of four recommendations - Recover, Pace Yourself, Ready, or Go For It - and identifies the factors affecting the result. The score can change during the day as new information arrives, including an intense workout or a change in daytime vitals.

The algorithm was developed from Apple Heart and Movement Study data with input from exercise scientists and physicians at Apple.

Redesigned Health app

With iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, Apple Intelligence extends to the Health app. A new Insights tab updates throughout the day with summaries covering heart, sleep, readiness, fitness, vitals, and cycle-tracking data. Its For You section presents personalized recommendations and related articles based on the user's information, such as suggesting a better wind-down routine after several late nights.



The new Longevity tab analyzes data across heart health, sleep, mental wellbeing, movement health, metabolic health, hearing, and nutrition. Health Age compares a person's metrics with their chronological age using Apple Watch data such as VO2 max, resting heart rate, sleep, and HRV. Users can also add A1c and LDL lab results, while the wider longevity view can draw from iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods, clinical health records, and third-party apps and devices.



At-home movement evaluations use the iPhone camera and Apple Watch to assess flexibility, strength, balance, movement mechanics, and VO2 max, with real-time audio and visual feedback. Apple says the feature runs entirely on the device and does not record, store, or share video. The app will also let users schedule and buy lab tests covering more than 50 biomarkers for $119 at approximately 2,000 Quest Diagnostics locations in the United States.



Health content from Apple clinical experts will be tied to a user's own results. Someone receiving annual lab results, for example, may see a video explaining LDL levels, while a movement assessment can be followed by an expert video and an exercise plan selected for the user's needs.

Cycle Tracking updates

The Health app in iOS 27 adds perimenopause and menopause support to Cycle Tracking. Users will be able to log either life stage, record symptoms, monitor cycles, and receive educational content. Logging bleeding after menopause will trigger a notification to speak with a doctor.

People age 40 and older may also receive a notification when changes in their logged cycle patterns suggest perimenopause. Apple cautions that Cycle Tracking should not be used as birth control.

Workout and availability details

Workout Buddy will work on Apple Watch without an iPhone nearby, add more fitness data to its motivational insights, and support English and Spanish. It requires a paired Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone and Bluetooth headphones; using it away from the iPhone also requires Wi-Fi or cellular service. Expanded GymKit support will let AirPods Pro 3 send heart rate data through an iPhone to compatible treadmills and indoor bikes, while new machine-learning models are intended to improve treadmill distance estimates from the first step.

watchOS 27 will be available Monday, September 14, for Apple Watch Series 9 or later, Apple Watch SE 3, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 or later. It requires an iPhone 11 or later or iPhone SE 3 running iOS 27.

The redesigned Health app is due later this year, initially in U.S. English, on Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone and iPad models with the latest software. Some features will be limited to iPhone, Health Age requires Apple Watch, and the VO2 max estimation test requires Apple Watch, AirPods Pro 3, or a third-party heart rate sensor. Certain features are limited to adults, and regional and language availability will vary.