Apple's "Project Mulberry": An AI Health Coach and iOS 19 UI Overhaul on the Horizon

Apple's "Project Mulberry": An AI Health Coach and iOS 19 UI Overhaul on the HorizonApple's ambitious expansion into the healthcare sector is set to take a significant leap forward with the launch of "Project Mulberry," an AI-powered health coach, slated for release in the spring/summer of 2026 with iOS 19.4

Apple's "Project Mulberry": An AI Health Coach and iOS 19 UI Overhaul on the Horizon

Apple's ambitious expansion into the healthcare sector is set to take a significant leap forward with the launch of "Project Mulberry," an AI-powered health coach, slated for release in the spring/summer of 2026 with iOS 19.4. This marks a pivotal step in Apple's broader health strategy. Simultaneously, the highly anticipated iOS 19 interface, codenamed "Solarium," will be unveiled at WWDC 25 in June, promising a revolutionary visual experience.

Project Mulberry: AI-Driven Personalized Health Management

Project Mulberry centers on a comprehensive upgrade to the Apple Health app, transforming it from a passive data recorder into a proactive, intelligent health management platform. The core of this initiative is an AI-powered "health coach" that leverages user data collected from iPhones, Apple Watches, and even AirPods to provide personalized health recommendations.

This AI coach analyzes data from various Apple devices, identifying potential health concerns such as irregular heart rate, poor sleep quality, or insufficient daily activity. Based on this analysis, it offers tailored improvement plans and delivers video content to help users understand their health status and make necessary lifestyle adjustments. For instance, if a user's heart rate data shows a concerning trend, the app might suggest a video explaining the risks of heart disease and how to mitigate them, presented by a medical expert.

To ensure accuracy and reliability, Project Mulberry employs a unique training methodology. Apple is utilizing data from its employed physicians and plans to incorporate external experts spanning sleep, nutrition, physical therapy, mental health, and cardiology. These experts will create video content providing professional explanations and advice.

Beyond data analysis and interpretation, Project Mulberry significantly enhances the Health app's diet tracking capabilities. Future iterations will move beyond manual carbohydrate or caffeine input, directly challenging dedicated dietary management tools. The AI coach will play a crucial role here, assisting users in optimizing nutrient intake and creating more scientific dietary plans.

Furthermore, Apple intends to leverage on-device camera technology to analyze users' exercise form and provide real-time feedback. For example, when performing squats, the iPhone's rear camera could capture movement details, with the AI providing real-time reminders about knee position, ensuring correct form and safety. This feature is expected to integrate with Fitness+, creating a complete loop from health monitoring to exercise guidance, offering comprehensive health management services.

Health+?: Expanding Apples Health Ecosystem

Internally, some at Apple refer to this new service as "Health+," similar in concept to the existing Fitness+ platform but encompassing a broader range of health management. "Health+," unlike Fitness+, will focus on monitoring and intervening in overall health, providing personalized, comprehensive health management solutions.

Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring: A Long-Term Goal and Challenges

Beyond the imminent Project Mulberry, Apple has a more ambitious long-term project: non-invasive glucose monitoring. This vision, dating back to the Steve Jobs era, aims to integrate sensors into the Apple Watch, allowing users to monitor their blood glucose levels without needles, potentially helping pre-diabetic individuals make timely lifestyle adjustments.

This project has been ongoing for over 15 years, and while Apple has made key advancements, significant hurdles remain before its realization. Apple has experienced setbacks with other health sensors, such as the removal of blood oxygen monitoring from the Apple Watch due to patent disputes and ongoing challenges in developing high blood pressure monitoring. These issues have increased the importance of Project Mulberry's success, as it offers a quicker path to tangible results and provides valuable experience for future non-invasive glucose monitoring technology.

Project Mulberry is spearheaded by Apple's health team lead and physician, Sumbul Desai, with significant involvement from COO Jeff Williams. This work has become the health departments primary focus. Their goal is clear: to evolve the Health app from a passive data recorder into a proactive, intelligent platform for user health intervention.

iOS 19 UI Overhaul: Anticipation for "Solarium"

Beyond the Health app upgrade, Apple is preparing a significant iOS 19 interface update. While numerous purported "iOS 19 concept designs" have circulated online, often drawing inspiration from visionOS's transparency, Apple has officially denied their authenticity, emphasizing they are not representative of the final product to be revealed at WWDC 25.

According to journalist Mark Gurman, Apple has a more ambitious plan, codenamed "Solarium" (referencing a glass-roofed room, symbolizing the introduction of natural light). "Solarium" promises a more radical interface overhaul than the online concepts suggest, with changes potentially exceeding expectations.

The true nature of "Solarium" will be revealed at WWDC 25 in June.

China Market: Local Challenges and Expectations

While Project Mulberry and the iOS 19 update are highly anticipated globally, their short-term availability in China remains uncertain. Localizing healthcare features requires navigating technical and regulatory hurdles. The delayed launch of Apple Watch Series 10 sleep apnea detection, and AirPods Pro 2 hearing aid/assistive listening features in China illustrates this challenge. Therefore, Chinese users may need to temper their expectations and await further developments.

In conclusion, Apple's healthcare ambitions are accelerating, with Project Mulberry and the iOS 19 updates poised to significantly impact its future. However, the success of these initiatives in the Chinese market requires further observation. We eagerly anticipate WWDC 25 for further revelations.