Apple has announced a range of new health and fitness features for watchOS 27 and iPadOS 27, expanding the health capabilities available across Apple Watch, iPhone and iPad.
The updates include improvements to Workout Buddy, indoor workout tracking and menstrual health features on Apple Watch. Meanwhile, the redesigned Health app on iPhone and iPad will use Apple Intelligence to provide users with new insights into their health and fitness data.
Apple is also introducing a new Longevity section that provides a longer-term view of health information, including a new Health Age feature.
watchOS 27 Gets New Workout Buddy Features
One of the key additions in watchOS 27 is an expanded Workout Buddy experience.
Workout Buddy can now work on Apple Watch even when the iPhone is not nearby, provided the watch has a Wi-Fi or cellular connection. The feature uses additional workout data to provide more personalised motivational feedback.
Workout Buddy will also be available in Spanish alongside English.
Apple says users will need compatible headphones or speakers, while the initial setup requires an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone.
More Accurate Treadmill Tracking
watchOS 27 also improves tracking for indoor walking and running.
Apple says new machine-learning-based motion tracking algorithms can improve distance measurements during treadmill workouts, including from the beginning of a workout.
This could make Apple Watch tracking more useful for users who regularly exercise indoors.
Apple Watch Adds Perimenopause and Menopause Support
Apple is expanding its menstrual health features with support for perimenopause and menopause.
The updated Cycle Tracking experience can allow users to record perimenopause or menopause and track related symptoms and cycle information. Apple also says users may receive notifications when recorded cycle patterns suggest possible perimenopause.
Apple notes that some of these health features may vary by age, region and device.
AirPods Pro 3 Can Connect Heart Rate Data to Gym Equipment
Apple is also expanding GymKit functionality.
Users with AirPods Pro 3 can connect heart-rate data through an iPhone to compatible gym equipment, including treadmills and indoor cycling machines. This allows supported equipment to display heart-rate information during workouts.
iPadOS 27 Gets Redesigned Health App
One of the major changes coming to iPad is the redesigned Health app.
With iPadOS 27, Apple Intelligence will help turn health and fitness information into easier-to-understand insights. The Health app will bring together information related to areas such as:
- Sleep
- Heart health
- Readiness
- Fitness
- Vitals
- Cycle tracking
- Movement
- Nutrition
A new Insights section will provide timely information and personalised recommendations based on the user’s health data.
New Longevity Section and Health Age Feature
Apple is also adding a Longevity section designed to help users understand longer-term health trends.
The new Health Age feature can compare selected health metrics with a user’s chronological age. Apple says the feature can use data such as VO2 max, resting heart rate, sleep and heart-rate variability (HRV) from Apple Watch.
Users can also add certain laboratory information, including A1c and LDL, to provide additional context.
watchOS 27 Release Date and Compatible Devices
Apple says watchOS 27 will be available from September 14.
The update supports:
- Apple Watch Series 9 and later
- Apple Watch SE 3
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later
The update requires an iPhone 11 or later, or iPhone SE (2nd generation or later), running iOS 27. Apple notes that not every feature is available on every device or in every region.
Apple Expands Health and Fitness Across Its Devices
With watchOS 27 and iPadOS 27, Apple is expanding its health ecosystem beyond basic activity tracking. The combination of Apple Watch sensors, the redesigned Health app and Apple Intelligence is designed to help users better understand both daily fitness information and longer-term health trends.
However, Apple notes that feature availability can vary depending on device, language and region, so users should check compatibility before expecting every new feature to be available on their device.
