Apple Scales Back Health+ Plans, Focuses on Incremental Updates

Apple shifts health strategy under new leadership, plans smaller feature releases instead of one big Health+ service.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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Apple is reportedly scaling back its plans for the Health+ service, which was expected to offer an AI-powered chat interface for discussing health data and accessing educational videos. Under the leadership of Eddy Cue, who took over Apple's health initiatives after Jeff Williams' retirement, the company is now planning to break up the planned Health+ features into smaller, incremental updates rather than launching one big subscription service.

Why it matters

This shift in strategy reflects Apple's efforts to navigate regulatory concerns and consumer education around its health offerings. By focusing on more gradual feature releases, Apple may be able to more easily integrate new health capabilities into its ecosystem and address any potential roadblocks from the FDA or other authorities.

The details

According to a Bloomberg report, Apple had been working for years to build up the Health+ service, recording professional health videos in an Oakland, California studio. The plan was to pair these videos with surveys and health assessments to provide users with personalized recommendations through the Apple Health app. However, the company has now decided to delay the larger Health+ initiative and instead release the planned features in smaller, incremental updates.

  • Apple had allegedly planned to include a version of Health+ in iOS 26, but it was delayed internally.
  • Eddy Cue took over Apple's health initiatives after Jeff Williams' retirement.

The players

Eddy Cue

Apple's Services chief, who is now in charge of the company's health initiatives after Jeff Williams' retirement.

Jeff Williams

Apple's former health chief, who has retired.

Sumbul Desai

Remains in charge of Apple's health initiatives and has recently taken on Apple Fitness as well.

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What’s next

Apple is expected to announce the future of its Health and Fitness initiatives at WWDC 2026 or in iOS 26.4.

The takeaway

Apple's shift in health strategy under new leadership reflects the company's efforts to navigate regulatory concerns and consumer education around its health offerings. By focusing on more gradual feature releases, Apple may be able to more easily integrate new health capabilities into its ecosystem and address any potential roadblocks.