The New Ultrahuman App Fixes Most of the Issues That Annoyed Me in the Old Version.
When I first reviewed the Ultrahuman ring ( Ring Air , last year), I wrote that my main complaint was that I found the app too intrusive. One example of what irritated me was the “brain detox” score, as if that were something the app could measure or influence. But the new version of the app—Ultrahuman calls it the Emerald Update—changes everything.
I’ve been using the beta version of this new app to test out the upcoming Ring Pro , and so far I’m impressed: it’s now easier to navigate and displays my Ring data in a really useful and easy-to-read way.
Important information and actions are presented first.
Every day, when I open the new Ultrahuman app, I see a screen with a small amount of information—just the essentials—about how I slept and how my day is going. For example, today it says my sleep is improving, my resting heart rate is normal, and my temperature is “borderline” (slightly higher than usual). Meanwhile, it says I only slept six hours. That’s pretty much all I need to know when I check the app early in the morning.
On the main screen (which I see after I dismiss the initial welcome message), the Ultrahuman app now distills its data feed into a few “next best actions.” For me, the most important thing right now is to get up and move around, as I’ve been quite sedentary today. If I tap to see more, the next recommendation is to set an alarm to start my evening bedtime routine, as I have an irregular bedtime. These recommendations are actually quite helpful!
The app is easier to navigate.
The old Ultrahuman app had tabs at the bottom of the screen, but most of them were useless unless you purchased dedicated Ultrahuman products (blood tests, glucose meters, or a home air quality monitor). Now, there are five: a “ring” tab with all my core data; “longevity,” which shows me my “ultraage,” which reflects my projected aging rate based on my habits; “jade,” which I’ll talk about in a bit; “powerplugs,” where you can choose add-ons that provide additional features (some free, some subscription); and “zones,” a social feature (a zone seems to represent some kind of group or club).
The Longevity tab is useful for assessing long-term performance. I don’t place much importance on the exact longevity value (what does it mean to be two years older than me?), but this tab also displays my estimated VO2max, along with a note explaining a recent algorithm update. Scrolling down, I see several “aging-slowing” recommendations, which are essentially advice on maintaining long-term health—my advice is that I need to address my lack of sleep (I also seem to have low “circulatory fluidity”). The app’s cryptic features haven’t disappeared entirely; they’ve just become a little less obvious.
Jade has an AI chatbot, which I honestly try to interact with as little as possible. A card telling me about my blood flow suggested I ask Jade what it meant and how to improve it. I clicked the button, and Jade replied that she didn’t know what blood flow meant. It seemed like that part needed some work.
Circadian windows are easier to read.
In the old version of the app, I was constantly told when I should and shouldn’t drink caffeine. This is still an important part of the app, though it can be disabled by uninstalling the free PowerPlug, which is enabled by default for caffeine. Now, the app shows me my “active windows” at any given time. It’s midday, and the app tells me that caffeine is okay, that sunlight and exercise won’t affect my sleep patterns, and that it’s okay to look at screens. Later in the evening, the caffeine window will close, and later, the screen-use window will close.
The app, however, doesn’t explain these time windows very well. What exactly happens when the “phase delay window” begins? But I like that there’s now a view that shows all three timelines side by side, with different time labels. This doesn’t mean I no longer trust the decisions I’ve made—I’ll still definitely cut out caffeine well before 6:00 PM—but I also know that the available data doesn’t support skipping my morning coffee.
What this update means for those who wear the Ultraman ring
Overall, using the ring has become much more enjoyable thanks to the updated app design. Ultrahuman claims that data processing now happens on the device itself, so an internet connection is not required to receive metrics and recommendations. I’m still exploring the app’s features while testing the Ring Pro , but I’m looking forward to improved heart rate accuracy and the ability to integrate data from Garmin and other fitness devices. There’s even a “ring workout” feature that lets you use it in conjunction with another device. Sometimes, change is for the better.