One week after its unveiling, the newly built Health app is already included in the first beta of iOS 27.2. However, this doesn't provide a release date, as the app is expected to be missing from the final version of 27.2. For users in German-speaking countries, there's an additional hurdle.
Apple released the first beta of iOS 27.2 to developers on September 16, skipping the testing phase of version 27.1. This build includes, for the first time, the redesigned Health app, which Apple showcased at its keynote on September 9. At its core is Apple Intelligence: The app analyzes data from iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods and uses it to generate personalized health recommendations.
That evening, Apple unveiled Longevity and Health Age as the two most notable new features of the Health app. Apple describes the full scope and requirements in its announcement regarding the new health features.
Key Facts at a Glance
- iOS 27.2 Beta 1 includes the newly built Health app with the Insights and Longevity sections.
- According to Apple's notes regarding the beta, the app is only being tested there and is not part of the final iOS 27.2.
- An iPhone with Apple Intelligence is required; for Health Age, an Apple Watch is also required.
- Initially, the app will only be available in US English, and lab booking will remain limited to the USA.
What the first beta unlocks
Registered developers can try out the two new sections with Beta 1. Insights combines heart rate, sleep, readiness, fitness, vital signs, and cycle data into a summary that updates throughout the day. A "For You" section adds recommendations and articles based on the user's own data.
Longevity considers long-term data on heart health, sleep, mental well-being, exercise, metabolism, hearing, and nutrition. It incorporates Health Age, which compares values such as VO2max, resting heart rate, sleep patterns, and heart rate variability to actual age. Lab values such as A1c and LDL cholesterol can be added.
The beta is installed via the beta updates in the software update settings, the same way as with the developer beta of iOS 27.
Not part of the final iOS 27.2
Apple's developer release notes list the Health app as a feature being tested in this beta but not included in iOS 27.2. It will follow later this year, within the timeframe Apple mentioned at the initial announcement. Therefore, the beta doesn't indicate when the app will actually be released on devices.
A similar note already appeared in the beta version of iOS 26.4. There, Apple was testing end-to-end encryption for RCS, which was also explicitly not included in this version but was intended for a later update.
Which devices the new Health app needs
The prerequisite is an iPhone or iPad with Apple Intelligence; for iPhones, this means an iPhone 15 Pro or later. Some features are only available on iPhones, and some require a minimum age of 18. The setup guide for iPhone, iPad, and Mac explains how to activate Apple Intelligence.
| Feature | Requirements according to Apple |
|---|---|
| Newly designed health app | iPhone or iPad with Apple Intelligence |
| Health Age | additionally Apple Watch |
| VO2max test via motion analysis | Apple Watch, AirPods Pro 3 or a third-party heart rate sensor |
| Readiness value | Apple Watch Series 12 or Apple Watch Ultra 4 |
| Lab booking at Quest | US only, $119 |
English first, lab only in the USA
Apple has explicitly stated that the new Health app will launch in US English, with other languages to follow. There is no release date for German. The obstacle lies within the app itself: Apple Intelligence already supports German as a device and Siri language.
Booking lab tests with more than 50 biomarkers is handled through approximately 2,000 Quest Diagnostics locations in the US. Apple has not mentioned a comparable offering for Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. HealthAge is not dependent on this, as Apple states that users can also add their own lab values themselves.
Why early testing reveals little in this country
The beta version shows how technically advanced the app is. It reveals little about the version that will be released in German-speaking regions, because Apple is only planning to launch it in US English and hasn't specified a timeframe for other languages.
The hardware requirements are lower than the presentation alongside the new watches might suggest. For Insights and Longevity, Apple requires an iPhone with Apple Intelligence; for Health Age, an Apple Watch is also required. Only the Readiness score is tied to the new models with the Health Sensing System, namely the Apple Watch Series 12 (starting at €449) or the Ultra 4 (starting at €899). Therefore, the new Health app alone is not a reason to buy a new watch.
Would you use the new Health app in English as soon as it's released, or would you prefer to wait for the German version when it comes to health data? Tell us in the comments how much English is sufficient for you when dealing with such data.
