Apple to Revamp Health App with AI-Powered Doctor [Gurman] – iClarified

Apple is working to overhaul its Health app and introduce an AI-powered health coach, according to a new report from Mark Gurman. In a newsletter to subscribers, Gurman detailed the company’s ambitious plans to transform its health offerings, spotlighting a project that could mark a significant step toward CEO Tim Cook’s vision of health care as Apple’s greatest legacy.

The initiative, internally known as Project Mulberry, involves a major redesign of the Health app paired with a new AI-driven health coach. Gurman noted that development is “full steam ahead,” with a potential release tied to iOS 19.4, expected in spring or summer of 2026. The service aims to leverage data collected from devices like the iPhone, Apple Watch, and even third-party products to deliver personalized health advice. “The AI coach will use that information to offer tailor-made recommendations about ways to improve health,” Gurman wrote, hinting at a system designed to mimic aspects of a real doctor’s guidance.

Apple’s health team, led by Sumbul Desai with oversight from COO Jeff Williams, is prioritizing this project above nearly all else. The company is training the AI agent using input from in-house physicians and plans to incorporate external experts in fields like sleep, nutrition, and cardiology. These specialists will produce video content to educate users on conditions and lifestyle changes. For example, Gurman explained, “If the Health app receives data about poor heart-rate trends, a video explaining the risks of heart disease could appear.” A new facility near Oakland, California, is being set up to film this content, and Apple is searching for a prominent doctor to host the service, tentatively called “Health+.”

Food tracking stands out as a key focus of the revamped app. While the current Health app allows manual entry of data like carbohydrates, the new version will dive deeper into nutrition tracking, positioning Apple to compete with apps like MyFitnessPal. The AI agent will assist users in navigating these features. Beyond that, Apple is exploring ways to use device cameras, such as the iPhone’s rear camera, to analyze workouts and offer technique tips, potentially tying into the existing Fitness+ platform.

This push builds on years of health-related efforts at Apple, including a long-running project to develop a noninvasive glucose monitor for the Apple Watch. Though that feature remains years away, Gurman’s report suggests Project Mulberry could deliver a more immediate impact. The company has faced setbacks with other health sensors, like blood oxygen monitoring, which was removed from the Apple Watch due to a patent dispute, and hypertension tracking, which has hit development hurdles. Against this backdrop, the Health app overhaul represents a fresh opportunity.

Gurman first reported on the concept years ago under the code name Project Quartz, and it has since evolved with input from Apple’s AI group. Desai, who has led the health division for several years, is determined to avoid past missteps, such as a failed app for connecting users with doctors. For now, the focus remains on refining the AI coach and expanding the app’s capabilities, setting the stage for what could be a transformative update to Apple’s health ecosystem.

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