Apple completely ignored the functionality in the keynote just now, so not looking good for US availability of it. Seriously disappointing if so.
Agree. I will not buy a new Apple Watch until this sensor is replaced. Right now my 2023 Ultra 2 has more functionality than any of these new watches. I get the Sleep Apnea via software, and I get the Blood Ox.
I will just buy a new Titanium Milanese Band.
It’s absolutely absurd.
The international versions still have it. I’m seriously considering getting one from outside the US. As far as I can tell, it’ll work.
No, I’ve researched. It’s apparently tied to the watch model number, not the Apple ID.And when you sign in with your US based Apple ID, it will disable the feature on your "international" watch.
No, I don't know this for certain, but Apple thinks of everything.
Yes that makes sense. I never had an Ultra 1.I have an Ultra 1 and for me there's no reason to upgrade. I'd get the blood oxygen anyway since I'm not in the US, but my battery is still 100% and I'm happy to wait for Ultra 3 whenever it comes out. Then it will be the Ultra 2 + 3 features that are new.
And when you sign in with your US based Apple ID, it will disable the feature on your "international" watch.
No, I don't know this for certain, but Apple thinks of everything.
Are you sure? My blood ox feature still works for my AW9. I'm grandfathered since I purchased before the lawsuit. I'm in the US.Right, because that's what they did with existing Apple watches in the US.
Are you sure? My blood ox feature still works for my AW9. I'm grandfathered since I purchased before the lawsuit. I'm in the US.
I found the following on an earlier MR Front Page article.
"The Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 only have disabled blood oxygen sensing capabilities in the United States, as the ban is not applicable in other countries. The Apple Watches remain fully functional outside of the U.S."
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Apple Watch Pulse Oximetry Can Be Reactivated Through Software in 2028 or With Successful Appeal
Apple has been selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 without the blood oxygen monitoring feature in the U.S. since mid-January,...www.macrumors.com
Not sure if the AW9 outside of the U.S. is still functional though re: blood ox.
Looks like the S10 in the UK doesn't have bloody Oxygen either now
No, I’ve researched. It’s apparently tied to the watch model number, not the Apple ID.
The original January 12 order from CBP that allowed Apple to bring Apple Watch models with a disabled sensor in the United States was published recently (via ip fray), and it gives some insight into how Apple disabled pulse oximetry. While some of the order is redacted, Apple implemented a fix that turns off pulse oximetry when an Apple Watch is paired to an iPhone. Blood oxygen sensing becomes inaccessible to the user, and opening the blood oxygen app gives a warning that the feature is not available. Apple said that it hardcoded each Apple Watch at the factory with new software.
As part of the process to get approval to sell Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models without pulse oximetry enabled, Apple had to provide the code disabling the feature and test devices to Masimo. Masimo didn't want Apple to have such an easy fix, so it paired the "redesigned" Apple Watches with a jailbroken iPhone running an older version of iOS, and was able to get pulse oximetry working.
Because Masimo was able to get blood oxygen sensing working using software on a jailbroken iPhone, Apple too would be able to reactivate the blood oxygen sensor in the models where it has been disabled through a software update. When no longer subject to an import ban, Apple will be able to reintroduce blood oxygen sensing for Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 users who are not able to access the feature.
As noted by ip fray, the patents that Apple was found to have infringed on expire in August of 2028, which means that Apple will be able to re-enable pulse oximetry in affected models at that time. Apple filed an appeal with the United States International Trade Commission to attempt to get the ruling overturned, so if the appeal is successful, Apple could be able to re-add blood oxygen sensing sooner.
That’s interesting! I found tons of posts tho that claim a non-US apple watch will retain blood oxygen in the US. It’s the cellular service that apparently is the issue. Idk!Here, from Macrumors. Masimo took a new "updated" watch (with the new model number) and paired it to a jailbroken iPhone....and the oxygen sensor worked.
Now, I'm rambling, as we all are. But I strongly suspect that even if you can get a watch sold in the UK market (for instance), if you try to pair it with your phone, it won't work. But if you took a US model number watch, and paired it with a foreign Apple phone and ID, it would work.
I really don't believe there are two different models; only two different SKU's (one bound for the US, the other elsewhere). And in 2028, the US SKU watches o2 sensors will start working, after an appropriate watch and iOS update at that time:
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Apple Watch Pulse Oximetry Can Be Reactivated Through Software in 2028 or With Successful Appeal
Apple has been selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 without the blood oxygen monitoring feature in the U.S. since mid-January,...www.macrumors.com
And:
So, I have a series 8 that is still running watchOS 9.X.X. Will I lose the BO sensor functionality if I upgrade the watch to watchOS 11, which I will have to do if I want it to pair with my phone after I update that to iOS 18?
Even if purchasing an Apple Watch outside the US works for the oxygen sensor, if you rely on the cellular, that will not be a good move since it won't have the same radios as the US models.
Thank you.You shouldn't, for it was a watch sold before the US import ban. All of my 7 Apple watches still have the o2 sensor, including the S9 I bought in mid-December 2023, and all 7 have been updated to whatever the most recent watchOS version there is.
I'm wearing a S8 at the moment, and it still has the o2 sensor (running watchOS 10.6.1 with an iPhone Pro Max running 17.6.1)
Still works on my 2023 Ultra 2. Only doesn't work on watches sold since the court ruling in January 2024.Are you sure? My blood ox feature still works for my AW9. I'm grandfathered since I purchased before the lawsuit. I'm in the US.
I found the following on an earlier MR Front Page article.
"The Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 only have disabled blood oxygen sensing capabilities in the United States, as the ban is not applicable in other countries. The Apple Watches remain fully functional outside of the U.S."
![]()
Apple Watch Pulse Oximetry Can Be Reactivated Through Software in 2028 or With Successful Appeal
Apple has been selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 without the blood oxygen monitoring feature in the U.S. since mid-January,...www.macrumors.com
Not sure if the AW9 outside of the U.S. is still functional though re: blood ox.
noSo, I have a series 8 that is still running watchOS 9.X.X. Will I lose the BO sensor functionality if I upgrade the watch to watchOS 11, which I will have to do if I want it to pair with my phone after I update that to iOS 18?