Apple Trims Fitness+ Audio Staff in Second Layoff Wave

Apple has initiated a second round of layoffs in under two months, targeting the audio division of its Fitness+ subscription service. According to a report by Bloomberg, the cuts affect employees responsible for producing audio-only workout features like Time to Walk and Time to Run. These features allow Apple Watch users to exercise without visual guidance, and the company expects to release new content for them less frequently, though the features will not be discontinued.

The decision reflects a broader corporate strategy to control costs and reallocate resources toward high-priority areas, particularly artificial intelligence. As Apple shifts its focus to AI-driven capabilities and new hardware, services with high recurring content costs are facing intensified scrutiny. This move extends the company’s recent restructuring efforts beyond its hardware and core software teams, signaling a tighter financial posture for its subscription ecosystem.

Audio content production faces reduction

The layoffs specifically impact the team that generates audio programs for the Fitness+ platform. These audio tracks are a key component for users who prefer non-visual workout sessions on their Apple Watch. By reducing the staff dedicated to this area, Apple aims to streamline operations and reduce the expense of continuously refreshing its content library. The service itself remains active, but the pace of new audio releases is expected to slow down.

This adjustment addresses the economic challenge of maintaining a large, constantly updated content operation. Subscription services require continuous investment to prevent subscriber churn, but Apple is reassessing the return on investment for these high-cost elements. The reduction suggests a move toward a more efficient, streamlined operation for Fitness+, potentially prioritizing features that offer higher engagement or lower production costs.

Restructuring extends to subscription services

This round of cuts follows a previous wave of layoffs in August, where Apple eliminated over 200 positions across its Siri, Vision Pro, and Intelligent Systems Experience teams. Those earlier reductions included approximately 100 roles in the Vision Pro organization and another 100 across Siri and software units. Apple stated at the time that it was realigning teams to evolve its business and improve user experiences, while creating new roles in other areas.

The inclusion of Fitness+ in this restructuring indicates that Apple’s cost-cutting measures are no longer limited to hardware and AI development. The company is now applying similar financial discipline to its service offerings. This shift occurs as Apple intensifies its focus on artificial intelligence and expands its hardware ambitions, including the development of foldable iPhone models and new AI capabilities.

Industry-wide cost pressures drive cuts

Apple’s moves align with a broader trend of restructuring across the technology sector. Companies are increasingly prioritizing cost control and strategic resource allocation. For instance, Uber recently announced plans to cut around 3,300 jobs, or 10% of its global workforce, to reduce management layers and redirect spending toward core businesses and robotaxi operations.

In this environment, services with high recurring costs are under greater pressure to demonstrate their value. Apple is reassessing how resources are allocated across its product and service portfolio. The focus on AI and strategic priorities is driving these decisions, leading to a more concentrated investment profile and reduced spending on areas deemed less critical to the company’s immediate future.