iOS 18 update suggests your AirPods could also get heart rate tracking

The feature might debut with the AirPods Pro 3 next year.

iOS 18 update suggests your AirPods could also get heart rate tracking
The AirPods Pro 2 sitting outside their case on a wooden surface with the case nearby.
Credit: Zak Khan / Android Authority
  • Apple is prepping a new heart rate tracking feature for its earbuds that could debut with the AirPods Pro 3 next year.
  • Code spotted in the latest iOS 18 release reveals that the feature will track users’ heart rate while they’re wearing both earbuds and send the results to the Health app.
  • Sources familiar with Apple’s plans say that the feature may also be available on the next-gen Powerbeats Pro earbuds.

Apple seems keen on turning its flagship wireless earbuds into a health and fitness wearable. The company recently introduced three new hearing-related health features for the AirPods Pro 2, and it’s reportedly prepping more such features for the next-gen model.

Apple released the iOS 18 Release Candidate build alongside the iPhone 16 series launch yesterday. 9to5Mac has spotted new code in the update suggesting that the company could add heart rate tracking capabilities to its earbuds. The code states, “Wear both earbuds during workouts to track and send your heart rate to Apple Health. Manage in Bluetooth settings.”