For mental health there is the new Focus function and on the Apple Watch the Breathing app has given way to Mindfulness. Everything else mainly happens in the Health app on your iPhone. There you will now find a few new functions, namely these:
- #1 Walking stability
- #2 Sharing health data with family and friends
- #3 Notifications Share with others
- #4 View health trends
- #5 Share health trends via Messages
- #6 COVID-19 vaccinations and test results
#1 More stable on your legs with Walking Stability
This feature requires an iPhone 8 or newer. With Walking Stability you can see how stable you are on your legs while walking. We look at your balance, stride length and more. You may be notified if your walking stability is very low, increasing the risk of falling. The app also contains exercises with which you can increase your walking stability. We haven't tried it, but you may see a downward trend if you walk down the street drunk too often. 😉
#2 Share health data with family and friends
You may already be sharing workout data with friends so you can see if everyone is exercising regularly. Since iOS 15, however, it has gone a lot further: you can also share all kinds of other health data with friends and family. This could be, for example, a carer.
You decide which data you want to share, including heart health, activity and mobility. You can even share information about your cycle, for example if you want to become pregnant.
#3 Share notifications with others
You can not only share data, but also the notifications you receive about, for example, high heart rate, irregular heart rhythm and more. You can also receive a notification in the event of large fluctuations, so that you are warned, for example, if someone suddenly shows much less activity.
“>#4=” View health trends
You could always view some stats about your workouts, sound levels, steps and more in the Health app. In iOS 15, that has become more extensive and you can see if everything is consistent. You can choose whether you want to receive notifications when trends change, for example in your walking stability.
#5 Share health trends via Messages
You can view your own data and trends endlessly, but you could also share the trends with others. This does not have to be a doctor: it can also simply be a friend who is a lot of sports or health knowledge. For example, you can start a conversation or ask a friend for advice. This requires you to share your data with the other person.
#6 COVID-19 vaccinations and test results
Unfortunately, this isn't in iOS 15.0 yet, but it's been spotted in iOS 15.1! If the local government supports this, you can put your QR code for corona vaccinations in the Health app and in Wallet. At the moment, however, it does not appear that we will be able to use this in the Netherlands. After all, in the CoronaCheck app you see animations to prevent you from taking a screenshot at the door of a restaurant.
There are three other functions for your health, but they are only available in the US. This includes the following features:
- Share data with a doctor or healthcare professional.
- Improvements in lab results.
- Interactive charts and highlights for you blood glucose.
More about iOS 15
iOS 15 is the major update for the iPhone and iPod touch. If you want to know whether your iPhone is suitable for iOS 15, you will find the answer in our article. The official iOS 15 release is September 20, 2021. Read our overview of the best iOS 15 features or check the 50+ iOS 15 discoveries for even more improvements. Are you ready for it? Then follow our step-by-step plan for installing iOS 15. For answers to questions, we have an extensive iOS 15 FAQ.
Revision history:
- 2021 – October 01, 09:13: Article updated after iOS 15 release.