Blood Oxygen Feature Finally Returning to Apple Watch in the US

[MacRumors]

Apple today announced that blood oxygen monitoring will return to Apple Watch models in the United States via a software update.

Apple says that its blood oxygen monitoring feature has been "redesigned" for the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the United States. The new solution involves measuring sensor data from the Blood Oxygen app on the Apple Watch and sending it for calculation to a paired iPhone, with the results to be viewable in the Respiratory section of the Health app.

The redesigned blood oxygen monitoring feature will be available as part of iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1. The updates will roll out later today.

Apple Watch models in the United States that include the original blood oxygen monitoring feature and those purchased internationally will remain unchanged, with no need for the workaround solution.

Apple says that the update is enabled by a recent U.S. Customs ruling. Apple has been in a long-running patent dispute with health technology company Masimo over the Apple Watch's Blood Oxygen feature. The conflict intensified in December 2023 when an import ban took effect, which blocked U.S. sales of Apple Watch models with the feature.

Apple paused sales in the U.S. for several days before resuming on January 18, 2024, with the Series 9 and Ultra 2 being sold without blood oxygen monitoring. That arrangement has remained in place since then. The Apple Watch Series 10 launched in September 2024, still lacking the feature. Legal proceedings between Apple and Masimo continue.

Article Link: Blood Oxygen Feature Finally Returning to Apple Watch in the US

 

[vertsix]

FINALLY!!!

I hope this doesn’t get overruled again though.

 

[ghostface147]

The point is to see it on your watch, not have to look on the phone. Of course I’m on watchOS 26, so I may not see it until final release.

 

[therunningman]

I'm curious as to when this might make it into the iOS/watchOS 26 betas.

 

[xmarcuswildx]

Well I can finally upgrade.

 

[swingerofbirch]

No mention of Series 6 and 7 users who did battery replacements through Apple which disabled the O2 feature.

 

[DBZmusicboy01]

😍 2025 could turn out to be Apple’s best year as long as they release a solid iPhone 17 Pro Update and Apple Watch as well.

 

[JeziLondon]

Ridiculous that you can’t see results on the watch itself…

 

[xmarcuswildx]

FINALLY!!!

I hope this doesn’t get overruled again though.

Sounds like more “processing” on phone

 

[MayaUser]

when "health" nowadays is subject to injunction

 

[goldmac2006]

finally it’s been so long. 1.5 years since Apple banned it and it’s coming back! Will it also return to affected Apple Watch series 9-10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 users in the next watchOS and iOS 26 beta 7?

 

[jz0309]

Good to see finally!

 

[HouseLannister]

Now bring on the blood sugar and blood pressure measuring that has been rumored forever.

 

[sakurarain]

so for the upcoming Series 11, this function will be available on day-1, right?

 

[jameswilby]

Processing on the phone… Almost certainly how they’re getting around it. Likely the trademark will have been about measuring and processing on device. So bring in a second device and maybe it’s no longer infringing? Just a thought

 

[coolkid93]

Probably the best news of the week! They must of settled or someone broke but this will definitely make it easier for people wanting to buy a new watch this fall with that added feature back

 

[dominiongamma]

Took way too long Apple

 

[eliteoOSX27]

No luck for the series 8 huh?

 

[BorisDG]

So iOS 18.6.1 today?

 

[Callander]

 

[easy4lif]

The point is to see it on your watch, not have to look on the phone. Of course I’m on watchOS 26, so I may not see it until final release.

I think to get around massinos patent, the sensor info is sent to the phone to be processed, then sent back on the watch to be displayed

Update. Wow, I’m really stupid. I should’ve read through the article. Either way I wear my watch at night this hopefully will be used in vitals.

 

[dustin_]

glad they’re finally implementing this workaround. hopefully this will all soon be resolved and we’ll get processing and viewing back on the watch itself.

 

[Howard2k]

Here's the Apple link:

An update on Blood Oxygen for Apple Watch in the U.S.

Apple will introduce a redesigned Blood Oxygen feature for some Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 users.

nr.apple.com

 

[vertsix]

Sounds like more “processing” on phone

Oh yeah I see that. So it is not possible to view the result on the watch. Lame.

Glad I still have an LL/A Ultra 2.

 

[Mazda 3s]

God to see finally!

Heaven can wait