For several months now, we’ve been hearing rumours about Apple’s plans around the Health app and about plans for a service we’re calling, for the moment, Apple Health+. Now, a development build of iOS 26.4 that has leaked to MacWorld reveals more details. In line with Tim Cook’s vision of making health one of the company’s key pillars, the new update will bring new features, a more streamlined design, and AI-powered tools that will make it easier for us to take care of our health.
The first iOS 26.4 beta could arrive next month, while the final version would be ready for spring. That should give us access to a completely revamped Health app in a matter of weeks. Let’s go over all the details.
A clearer design and new ways to add and interact with our data
One of the first changes we’ll see will be the introduction of a new design for the Health app, aimed at simplifying our access to information and making it easier to review different metrics. According to the information we have, Apple will reorganise the categories, introduce a simpler system for logging new data, and redesign the layout to make it more consistent with the rest of the system.
The idea is that the easier it is for us to correctly interpret our metrics, the better decisions we’ll be able to make about our wellbeing. In addition, the goal is for logging information that the app doesn’t capture through the Apple Watch or similar sensors to be as easy as opening the app and tapping a couple of buttons, because with more complete data, the results will be better.
Another major new feature will be the arrival of a meal-tracking system, which, as we understand it, will let us log our daily meals, track calories, and get a clearer picture of our eating habits. The idea is that this feature will be able to analyse key nutrients such as carbohydrates or caffeine, and it aims to be an alternative to apps like MyFitnessPal or Noom, for example.
An AI-powered health assistant
On top of all this data, Apple is preparing an AI-based health assistant. This system will analyse all the information available in the Health app and offer us personalised recommendations. From nutrition tips to guidance on improving posture during exercise if we use the iPhone’s rear camera, the goal is for the Health app to become a true digital coach.
Apple wants this assistant to be a proactive companion that detects different trends and suggests improvements before the situation gets worse. Whether through Siri or notifications, the idea is for the system to integrate naturally into day-to-day life without us having to open any app, in the style of the health notifications we already enjoy today.
Educational videos and a more complete experience
To complement all these new features, the company plans to launch a series of educational videos featuring doctors, nutritionists, physiotherapists, and mental health experts. These clips will appear directly in the Health app to help us better understand our data and follow reliable recommendations at key moments. For example, if the app detects that our sleep has dropped for several days, we’ll be able to watch a video from a sleep specialist.
Everything suggests that the Health app will take a huge step forward in an upcoming update. With its redesign, meal tracking, AI, and educational videos, we’re looking at an update that will mark a before and after in how we use our iPhone to look after our health. If everything sticks to the expected schedule, in a few weeks we’ll already be able to try the new features that will make the Health app one of the most important applications in Apple’s ecosystem.
