One of those features is – finally, in the United States anyway – Apple Watch blood oxygen back due to the latest Apple software. Blood oxygen readings are now available again when users of the iPhone and Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 updated to iOS 18.6.1 on iPhones and watchOS 11.6.1 on Apple Watch.
Apple confirmed the Apple Watch blood oxygen functionality via statement, explaining the rollout started in the evening of August 14. Available size of the update was 431.4 MB on iPhone models, such as the iPhone 12 and users needed watchOS 11.6.1 on Apple Watch too to enable the feature.
The blood oxygen readings from the Apple Watch now take place on the paired iPhone, rather than on the Watch as before. The results are then displayed in the Respiratory section of the Health app after measurement. The difference, in terms of how the blood oxygen sensor on the Apple Watch works now, would be part of a settlement reached with U.S. Customs relating to Apple’s long lasting legal troubles.
Context around the ban on Apple Watch blood oxygen feature
Masimo, a medical technology firm, had sued Apple in 2020 over blood oxygen monitoring technology on the Apple Watch that it claimed infringed on its patents. Masimo has received conditional support from the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), landing Apple a ban on certain imports and sales of the Apple Watch in the US.
Apple subsequently appealed the verdict and the ban was partially lifted, but the Apple Watch blood oxygen functionality remained disabled in the US. To fix this, Apple moved the data processing off the watch and on to the iPhone, a change which allows the Apple Watch blood oxygen feature to operate legally in the area again.
When will the blood oxygen feature be available on the Apple Watch?
However, remember that the Apple Watch blood oxygen change only concerns the stateside units. This does not affect Apple Watch models not purchased in the US, nor watches that were originally shipped with the feature.
This restores the Apple Watch blood oxygen function and allows users in the US to monitor their health with the latest Apple devices (up to watchOS 2023).
FAQ
With the update of the iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1, the new blood oxygen feature is accessible on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Blood oxygen readings from the Apple Watch are processed on the iPhone and available in the Health app within the Respiratory category.
Yes. Apple Watch models purchased in a country other than the US that have the blood oxygen functionality by default continue to have all their functions without limitations.
