Frequently Asked Questions

Apple created the Investigator Support Program to provide health researchers with the opportunity to receive Apple devices for use in research studies. Learn more about the Investigator Support Program.

The Investigator Support Program most commonly focuses on Apple Watch devices. Apple Vision Pro and AirPods Pro can now be requested through this program where available.

While there is no specific limit, Apple has a limited number of devices available for the program. In your application, please provide justification for the quantity requested. Apple will consider which models of the Apple products are suitable based on the features required for your research.

Not all features are available on all models or in all regions. You can learn more by comparing Apple Watch models and viewing watchOS feature availability by region.

There are a number of tools available to support iOS app development depending on your needs. If you have a developer, you may find that our open source developer frameworks, ResearchKit and CareKit, may streamline app creation.

For researchers without a developer, you can apply for Study App Template, a tool requiring minimal to no coding experience to help build an iOS data collection app to conduct digital health studies. Study App Template reduces the barriers of study app creation for researchers with limited or without developer support. Apply for Study App Template using the Investigator Support Program application form.

You can view the publications page to learn how others have used Apple Watch and Apple health features in their research.

If you are interested in having your publication featured, please reach out to research_proposals@apple.com.

Data collected by Apple Watch is available to your iOS study app using the HealthKit API. Study participants will have the opportunity to grant your app permission for each requested data type.

A complete list of HealthKit data types can be found on the HealthKit developer page.

Yes. Participants can switch between multiple Apple Watch devices paired to an iPhone. However, only one Apple Watch can be used at any given time.

No. You cannot access raw ECG data through HealthKit. Please refer to the HealthKit developer pages for more details on ECG data.

No. You cannot access real-time heartbeat data. Please refer to the HealthKit developer pages for more details on Heartbeat data.

Higher frequency Heart Rate data is available within HealthKit for samples collected during Workouts and ECG sessions. Higher frequency samples are also available through the SensorKit API. However, this requires a entitlement from Apple. Learn more about SensorKit.

Starting in iOS 27, HealthKit gives participants more control over data sharing, including limiting an app's read access to the past 30 days and periodic reminders to review or revoke access. For research studies, these reminders can disrupt participants who've already consented. The HealthKit Research Entitlement, available to health research apps, addresses this by (1) removing the 30-day access limit option and (2) reducing how often participants receive access reminders.

No this entitlement does not gate access to HealthKit data types. This entitlement is for Health Research Apps and modifies how your health research app requests access to HealthKit data. Access to HealthKit data still requires user consent. Learn more about the HealthKit Research Entitlement.

The SensorKit framework makes additional data types available for research use through an entitlement. Participants must be using an iPhone running iOS 14+ and grant your app permission for each requested data type. You can apply for the entitlement through the SensorKit Research Proposal.

Apps involved in health research studies can have time-consuming tasks essential for the study, and may need to complete processing the background. You can schedule these types of background tasks using BGHealthResearchTask. Note that access to Background Health Research Task is provided through an entitlement. You can request entitlement through the Investigator Support Program application.

Learn more about scheduling background runtime for your app here.

You can learn how to submit your iOS app to the App Store on the iOS Developer Page. You can also find requirements for app design, app review submissions, and other guidelines on the App Store Developer Page.

You can release your app so it is unlisted on the App Store and only discoverable with a direct link. Read more about Unlisted App Distribution.

iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS 10 or later, and visionOS 1.1 or later have a built-in framework that supports mobile device management (MDM). MDM lets you securely and wirelessly configure devices by sending profiles and commands to the device, whether they’re owned by the user or your organization. Learn more about MDM here.

You can view the guided tour and overview to better understand Apple Vision Pro's capabilities. Learn more about supported apps on Apple Vision Pro by referencing Tech Specs - Built-in Apps.

If your Investigator Support Program application is approved, you can expect to receive Apple Vision Pro devices equipped with light seal kits and headbands that are fit for your study.

An email will be sent to the Principal Investigator (PI) with instructions including details on how to collect light seal measurement.

The optical inserts are not available through Investigator Support Program. You can view the ZEISS Optical Inserts instructions to learn how to order or replace your optical inserts.

Apple has established a Master File (MAF) with the FDA containing proprietary platform specifications and technical documentation about Apple Vision Pro to support developers seeking FDA authorization for medical device software applications. Developers can request a Letter of Authorization from Apple and include it in their FDA filings to allow the FDA to reference this MAF during premarket submissions. The MAF includes the following platform specifications:

• Luminance
• Virtual image distance (VID)
• Field of View (FOV)
• Geometric display correction