April 1, 2025 – Apple’s Journey Towards Non-Invasive Blood Glucose Monitoring for Apple Watch Faces Years of Hurdles
In a recent report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, it has come to light that Apple’s endeavor to incorporate non-invasive blood glucose monitoring into its Apple Watch, despite over 15 years of rigorous development, is still “many years away” from fruition.
This ambitious project, which originated during the Steve Jobs era, aims to equip the Apple Watch with sensors capable of alerting users to prediabetic conditions. Such early detection would enable individuals to take proactive measures potentially reversing the progression towards diabetes. Prediabetes serves as a warning sign, indicating higher-than-normal blood sugar levels that haven’t yet reached the threshold for a diabetes diagnosis. Early diagnosis can empower people to prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes.
Previously, Bloomberg reported that Apple had tested a health app focused on diabetes prevention. Last October, Gurman suggested that this app might offer insights into some of Apple’s future products related to blood glucose management, although it might not necessarily materialize as a standalone consumer product.
Currently, most blood glucose testing methods involve skin puncture, which Apple has been striving to eliminate. The tech giant has been exploring the use of optical absorption spectroscopy and lasers to determine glucose levels in the body without breaking the skin. Reports indicate that Apple is developing a silicon photonic chip utilizing optical absorption spectroscopy technology. This chip works by shining light into the skin using lasers to ascertain glucose concentrations.
In 2023, Apple’s blood glucose monitoring research reportedly reached the concept validation stage, resulting in a functional prototype. However, the device was still too bulky to be integrated into a device of the size of an Apple Watch. It is said that hundreds of engineers within Apple’s Exploratory Design Group (XDG) are dedicated to this project.
Furthermore, Gurman revealed over the weekend that Apple is contemplating the launch of a new AI-driven health coaching feature. This feature would provide personalized health advice and lifestyle improvement plans through “coaching functions.” According to the report, this functionality could ultimately become part of Apple’s future Apple Health+ service.
