Apple’s ambitious Apple Health AI assistant – internally codenamed “Mulberry” – faces another setback. Originally slated for a 2025 debut, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman now reports its launch is pushed to spring 2026 as part of iOS 26. This delay places Apple’s flagship health AI feature at least a year from public release.
What Mulberry Promises
Mulberry leverages large language models (LLMs) to transform passive health tracking into proactive, conversational guidance. Unlike basic data logging, this Apple Health AI assistant will:
- Analyze trends in Health app data (sleep, heart rate, activity)
- Suggest preventative actions and lifestyle adjustments
- Connect mental health patterns with physical metrics
- Enhance medication and wellness tracking
Why the Delay?
Mulberry is part of Apple’s broader AI roadmap shifts:
- LLM-powered Siri overhaul also delayed to 2026
- AI-driven Shortcuts updates postponed
- WWDC 2024 will focus on developer tools instead of consumer AI launches
Apple prioritizes precision in health features, requiring extended testing for clinical reliability.
Apple’s Health AI Ambitions
Despite delays, healthcare remains central to Apple’s AI strategy:
- Biometric Integration: Uses Apple Watch ECG, temperature, and motion sensors
- Preventative Focus: Aims to predict issues like sleep apnea or stress spikes
- Privacy Framework: All analysis occurs on-device; no cloud data sharing
If timelines hold, Mulberry could debut in an iOS 26.x update (spring 2026) alongside:
- Enhanced mental health resilience metrics
- Nutrition tracking expansions
- Deeper EHR (electronic health record) integrations
FAQs
Will Mulberry work with existing Health app data?
Yes. It analyzes your historical Health app metrics to personalize suggestions.
Which devices support Mulberry?
Expected to require iPhone 12 or later and Apple Watch Series 7+.
Does this delay affect other health features?
No. Mental health questionnaires and medication tracking (iOS 17) remain active.
