Apple is set to launch a major update to its Health app, incorporating AI to provide personalized health recommendations and a virtual doctor feature. Codenamed Project Mulberry, this update will combine real medical expertise with AI, offering tailored advice and professional health content.

The revamped Health app, expected with iOS 19, will gather data from Apple devices like the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. Using AI, the app will offer personalized health coaching and insights, aligning with Apple’s vision to revolutionize healthcare, as envisioned by CEO Tim Cook.

Key Takeaways

Apple plans to roll out a redesigned Health app featuring AI-powered, personalized health recommendations and a virtual doctor feature, set to launch with iOS 19 in 2025.

  • The new Health app will leverage AI to offer customized health advice and monitor advanced health metrics.
  • Apple is teaming up with leading medical professionals to ensure that the AI’s health recommendations are medically sound.
  • The app will showcase educational content from practicing physicians along with enhanced food tracking features.

Project Mulberry: A new era for health tracking

Project Mulberry aims to upgrade Apple’s Health app by integrating an AI-powered virtual health assistant that will offer health recommendations based on user data collected from their devices.

The app will track various health metrics such as heart rate, sleep patterns, activity levels, and more. By analyzing this data, the AI-driven virtual assistant will be able to suggest lifestyle changes, fitness routines, and dietary adjustments that will help users improve their well-being.

This feature is particularly exciting because it takes personalized health advice to a new level. Unlike other fitness apps that offer generalized tips, Apple’s AI doctor will tailor its suggestions to each individual user based on the data it collects. For example, if the AI detects irregularities in a user’s heart rate, it might offer advice on how to monitor cardiovascular health, prevent heart disease, or improve overall heart health.

In addition to real-time health insights, Apple plans to introduce educational content in the form of videos hosted by real physicians. These videos will cover a range of health topics, including sleep hygiene, nutrition, mental health, physical therapy, and more. Apple is setting up a dedicated facility near Oakland, California, where doctors will record these videos to ensure high-quality medical advice for users.

Integrating real medical expertise with AI

One of the key features of Apple’s new Health app is its collaboration with medical professionals. The company has recruited a team of doctors to help train its AI model, ensuring that the advice provided by the virtual doctor is medically accurate and reliable. These experts will also contribute to the creation of video content that will educate users on various health topics.

Real-world expertise ensures the AI-driven health assistant is both useful and trustworthy. It will offer personalized advice based on health data and expert knowledge, such as recommending sleep improvement videos or relaxation exercises for stress and anxiety.

The app will feature a “doctor personality” to make it more human and relatable, much like the personalities used in Google and OpenAI’s AI models. This aims to provide a more engaging and empathetic experience, encouraging users to interact with the health coach feature and their personal data.

Advanced health metrics and tracking

Apple is also expanding the range of health metrics it tracks within the Health app. Beyond the existing capabilities of monitoring steps, calories burned, and workouts, the revamped app will focus on more specialized data points, such as SpO2 levels, ECG readings, and heart rate variability. These features will allow users to gain deeper insights into their physical health and detect potential issues earlier.

Perhaps one of the most notable updates will be the addition of food tracking. Currently, Apple’s Health app offers limited food logging capabilities, primarily focusing on caffeine and carbohydrate intake. However, with Project Mulberry, the app will allow users to track their nutrition in greater detail, helping them meet specific dietary goals. This expansion could position Apple as a competitor to established food tracking apps like MyFitnessPal and Noom, offering a more integrated and holistic approach to health.

The AI-powered health coach will analyze users’ food habits, suggesting healthier alternatives and guiding them toward balanced meal plans. By using data from both the user’s health metrics and their diet, the app will provide actionable insights to improve overall wellness.

The role of AI in future health care

Apple’s focus on AI in healthcare is part of its broader mission to integrate technology into everyday life in meaningful ways. The company has made it clear that it sees health as a key pillar of its future, and the AI doctor is a natural extension of that vision. While the immediate goal is to improve the lives of Apple device users, the long-term ambition includes a more comprehensive vision of healthcare that integrates real-time data, expert advice, and personalized health interventions.

In line with Tim Cook’s statements about healthcare being Apple’s greatest contribution to mankind, the company is also working on future health-related projects, including a non-invasive glucose monitor for the Apple Watch.

Though this feature is still several years away, it highlights Apple’s commitment to making health management more accessible and accurate for users. By integrating AI with medical expertise, Apple’s Health app could become a powerful tool for not only monitoring health but also proactively managing it.

Expected features in iOS 19

Apple is expected to launch the revamped Health app alongside iOS 19, which will likely be introduced at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2025.

The update will be available to users with the release of the iPhone 17, expected to hit the market in September 2025. The integration of AI-driven symptom checkers, health coaching, and personalized video content from medical professionals is set to make a significant impact on how users approach their health and wellness.

One of the key features to look out for in iOS 19 will be the improved heart rate monitoring system, which will analyze user data from devices like the Apple Watch and use the AI to detect potential issues early. The integration of ECG and SpO2 tracking will further enhance the app’s ability to monitor users’ health in real-time. Combined with the new food tracking and personalized fitness recommendations, the Health app will become a comprehensive wellness platform.

AI Doctor: A personalized approach to health

The AI doctor feature is one of the most anticipated additions to the revamped Health app. By leveraging data from various Apple devices and third-party trackers, the AI will provide personalized health recommendations that take into account each user’s unique profile.

For example, it might suggest specific exercises based on a person’s fitness goals or recommend a sleep improvement routine if it detects issues with sleep patterns. The AI-driven virtual assistant will also be able to flag potential health concerns and direct users to relevant educational content created by medical professionals.

In addition to offering personalized advice, the AI doctor will foster a deeper connection with users by offering a “doctor personality.” This could make the experience feel more like interacting with a real healthcare professional, further enhancing user engagement and trust in the system.

The future of Apple and Healthcare

Apple is positioning itself as a leader in healthcare innovation, combining AI with medical expertise in the revamped Health app. The AI-powered health coach is just the beginning of a journey toward personalized health management, helping users make better health choices and take proactive steps for well-being.

Looking ahead, Apple plans to integrate more advanced tools, such as a non-invasive glucose monitor, to help manage chronic conditions like diabetes. This evolution in AI and medical integration aims to create a more personalized approach to healthcare.

As iOS 19 and the new Health app roll out, Apple’s AI doctor promises to reshape how we manage our health. With expert-backed advice and cutting-edge technology, the Health app will become an essential part of users’ daily lives.