The big AI health service that was the subject of speculation beforehand has been scrapped by Apple. Even so, iOS 27 brings a whole series of tangible improvements to the Health and Fitness apps: a cleaner design, nutritional assessments via camera, expanded Cycle Tracking, and GymKit on the iPhone for the first time.
Before the iOS 27 beta launched, reports circulated about an AI-powered health service from Apple, which was scrapped before release – though a return in the future isn't ruled out. While the big AI push of iOS 27 revolves primarily around the new Siri unveiled at WWDC, the changes in the Health app are more down-to-earth, yet genuinely useful in everyday life. They range from a tidier layout to a nutrition feature and noticeably more accurate workout data – and they cater to a broad range of users.
A Cleaner Design
Apple has redesigned the "Browse" section of the Health app. Instead of a list, it now uses a card-style interface that is more colorful and makes the different categories easier to identify. In addition, the app relies on a single navigation bar at the bottom that includes a combined button for search and browsing – eliminating a separate search button.
Nutritional Values via Visual Intelligence
One of the most notable new additions concerns Visual Intelligence, which gains a new nutrition feature. Using the new Siri mode in the Camera, you can photograph a food item and then receive an assessment of its nutritional value. The feature deliberately does not provide exact calorie counts. Instead, it points out, for example, whether a food is heavily processed, whether it contains protein, or whether it has a high sugar content, and it ranks the nutritional value on a scale between "very low" and "very high."
The data gathered this way is not transferred into the Health app, but as a quick reference on the go, the feature is still handy. It does, however, require an Apple Intelligence-capable device: Visual Intelligence needs an iPhone 15 Pro or newer. Which models meet the requirements around iOS 27 and Apple Intelligence therefore depends on the particular device.
For the EU, there is also an important caveat: because the nutrition feature is tied to the new Siri mode in the Camera, it falls under the DMA-related delay of Siri AI on iPhone and iPad. At the launch of iOS 27, it is therefore not available on these devices in the EU, and Apple has not yet given a specific timeline.
Cycle Tracking Detects Perimenopause Earlier
Cycle Tracking is expanded in iOS 27 to add support for perimenopause and menopause. The Health app will now send notifications when the logged cycle patterns suggest the onset of perimenopause. To do this, it analyzes long-term cycle data to detect the hormonal transition that can begin a decade or more before actual menopause.
The cycle deviation alerts are based on the individually logged cycle history and are aimed at users aged 40 and above. Alongside this, symptoms can be recorded, and educational resources are available that offer guidance and support. In addition, Apple has added new Apple Fitness+ workouts specifically for perimenopause and menopause.
More Control for Parents
iOS 27 brings several new child safety features that give parents more influence over what content their children get to see. According to Apple, it draws on findings from health research to support parents in decisions around managing child accounts. These features are part of the broader new child safety tools that Apple unveiled at WWDC.
GymKit Comes to the iPhone
Until now, GymKit was an Apple Watch feature – with iOS 27 it comes to the iPhone. This lets you pair the iPhone directly with treadmills, indoor bikes, and other exercise equipment to sync data. If you don't own an Apple Watch, you can now use GymKit without a watch as well. The data synced includes calories, distance, speed, incline, and pace, among other things.
More Accurate Data and Faster Syncing
Beyond the major features, Apple has refined several details. The route maps that appear in the Fitness app after a workout are more accurate in iOS 27, and the distance covered during treadmill workouts is also reflected more precisely. Step counts will now be synced between the Health and Fitness apps. On top of that come performance improvements that make data arrive in the Health app faster than before.
Many Small Steps Instead of the Big AI Leap
The expected AI health service may have fallen by the wayside for now, but the sum of the detailed improvements makes the Health and Fitness apps in iOS 27 noticeably more useful. From the cleaner design to expanded Cycle Tracking and GymKit on the iPhone, a common thread runs through it all: Apple is distributing health features more broadly and making them easier to access in everyday life. iOS 27 is already available to developers, a public beta is planned for July, and the final version arrives in the fall.
The best products for you: Our Amazon Storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including for HomeKit. (Image: Shutterstock / sdx15)
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Frequently Asked Questions: The Health and Fitness Features in iOS 27
No. The AI-powered health service was only the subject of rumors and was scrapped before the iOS 27 beta – Apple never officially announced it. A return in a later version isn't ruled out, but for iOS 27 it remains a matter of individual Health and Fitness improvements.
Using the new Siri mode in the Camera, you photograph a food item and receive a nutritional assessment via Visual Intelligence. The feature doesn't state exact calories, but it ranks the nutritional value between "very low" and "very high." The data does not end up in the Health app.
Visual Intelligence requires an Apple Intelligence-capable device, meaning an iPhone 15 Pro or newer. Because the feature is tied to the new Siri mode in the Camera, it is not available on iPhone and iPad in the EU at the launch of iOS 27 due to the DMA; Apple has not yet given a timeline. The other Health additions work as normal.
It detects signs of the onset of perimenopause based on long-term cycle data and sends corresponding alerts. The feature is aimed at users aged 40 and above and additionally offers symptom logging as well as educational resources. New Apple Fitness+ workouts are added too.
GymKit was previously reserved for the Apple Watch. In iOS 27, the iPhone can also be paired with treadmills, indoor bikes, and other equipment, syncing values such as calories, distance, speed, incline, and pace – all without a watch.
Yes. In iOS 27, the Health and Fitness apps sync their step counts with each other. In addition, data appears in the Health app faster thanks to performance improvements.
iOS 27 is already available to developers, and a public beta is planned for July. The final version will be released in the fall.
