Apple Pulls Health App From iOS 8 Due To HealthKit Bug

Apple has pulled the Health app from iOS 8 due to an unspecified error with the HealthKit framework used by developers to make their applications compatible with the mobile platform’s new health and fitness features.

The Health app collects information, such as exercise and calorie data from fitness apps and accessories, and has been billed as one of the most significant new features in iOS 8, which was rolled out to compatible iPhones and iPads yesterday.

The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are due to be released in the UK on Friday, complete with motion tracking features that use the Health app, meaning new owners will be unable to make full use of their device until the end of the month.

HealthKit delay

“We discovered a bug that prevents us from making HealthKit apps available on iOS 8 today,” Apple told the FT, adding that it was working on a fix, but suggested it could take up to two weeks to roll out to users.

Developers are also likely to be happy having worked to ensure their apps were compatible with Health by using the HealthKit framework first detailed at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June. Some applications have been removed from the App Store due to the error and many developers are frantically trying to get versions without HealthKit functionality back onto the marketplace.

The development is a blow for Apple, which touted the health features of both the iPhone 6 and the Apple Watch at a launch event last week, and the company will hope the issue is not a repeat of the Apple Maps debacle that overshadowed the launch of iOS 6 in 2012.

Having decided to replace Google Maps as the default mapping provider on iOS, Apple’s own map application was widely panned as inaccurate, with users noting the absence of many towns and businesses and the presence of famous locations in bodies of water.

CEO Tim Cook was forced to apologise for the frustration and inconvenience caused by the application and recommended that iPhone owners use a rival service.

What do you know about the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch?