Apple was rumored to be working on an AI health service, but it was scrapped well before the iOS 27 beta came out. It could resurface in the future, but for now, there are a handful of health and fitness changes in iOS 27.
Design
Apple redesigned the Browse section of the Health app, and it now uses a card-style interface instead of a list. It is more colorful and easier to see the different categories.
The app also has a single bottom navigation bar that incorporates a search/browse button, instead of a separate search button.
Visual Intelligence
Visual Intelligence has a new nutrition feature that can tell you the nutritional value of what you’re eating. You can open the Camera app to the new Siri mode and take a photo of a food item to get feedback.
It does not give exact calorie counts, but it lets you know if a food is heavily processed, if it has protein, if it’s high in sugar, and more. It gives food a nutritional value ranking between very low and very high. Data does not sync to the Health app, but it’s still useful.
Visual Intelligence requires an iPhone 15 Pro or later.
Cycle Tracking
In iOS 27, Cycle Tracking is more advanced with perimenopause and menopause support.
"Cycle Tracking in the Health app can provide notifications when your logged cycle patterns are suggestive of perimenopause," Apple says. "You can track related symptoms and find support with educational resources."
Apple also added new Fitness workouts for perimenopause and menopause.
Faster Data Updates
Data syncs to the Health app quicker than before thanks to performance improvements Apple implemented.
Child Safety
There are several new Child Safety features that give parents more control over the content their children are seeing. Apple is including guidance based on expert health research to help parents make decisions about managing child accounts.
Route and Distance Accuracy
Route maps that populate the Fitness app after workouts are more accurate in iOS 27. Tracking indoor runs or walks with a treadmill is now more accurate as well.
“Improved motion tracking algorithms help measure the distance of your treadmill runs and walks more precisely right from your wrist,” according to Apple.
Step Count
The step count in the Fitness app now syncs with steps counted in the Health app with watchOS 27 and iOS 27.
GymKit
GymKit has expanded to the iPhone, which can pair with treadmills, indoor bikes, and other exercise equipment for data syncing. GymKit was previously an Apple Watch feature, but now iPhone users won’t need a watch to use it.
GymKit can sync calories, distance, speed, incline, and pace.
Launch Date
iOS 27 is available to developers, with a public beta planned for July. It will launch to the public this fall.
