Apple plans to extend its GymKit fitness feature beyond the Apple Watch in iOS 27, enabling iPhone and AirPods Pro 3 to connect to gym equipment for a more accessible workout experience, reducing the need for wearable devices.
Apple is preparing to extend one of its more practical fitness features beyond the Apple Watch, with iOS 27 set to bring GymKit support to the iPhone and AirPods Pro 3, according to reports from MacRumors and 9to5Mac. The change would let users connect an iPhone to compatible gym machines by tapping it near the equipment, then start a workout without needing a watch on the wrist.
GymKit first arrived in 2017 and was limited to the Apple Watch, which meant users had to pair the watch with supported treadmills, bikes, ellipticals and stair climbers before training data could sync. Under the new setup, the iPhone would handle the machine connection while the AirPods Pro 3 would provide heart-rate tracking, giving Apple a way to reproduce much of the Watch-based gym experience through a phone-and-earbuds combination.
That shift also reduces friction for people who do not own an Apple Watch or do not want to wear one during exercise. The machine would still supply workout-specific data such as distance, incline and calorie estimates, while Apple’s Fitness app on the iPhone would collect the session. Reports say the data remains private on the device and is removed from the gym hardware after syncing.
The move fits Apple’s broader strategy of making its devices work better together. Industry coverage suggests the company is treating the iPhone and AirPods as a lighter-weight fitness platform, not a full replacement for the Apple Watch, but as a more accessible entry point for users who want heart-rate and workout tracking without another wearable. MacRumors also says iOS 27 is expected to add other AirPods-related features, including Siri AI support and custom equaliser controls for models with Apple’s H2 chip.
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