Blood Oxygen Sensing Returns to Apple Watch

If you purchased an Apple Watch in the U.S. over the last year, anticipate regaining the blood oxygen monitoring function following a software update available today.

To enable this feature, ensure your iPhone is updated to iOS 18.6.1 and your Apple Watch to watchOS 11.6.1. The Health app will display your blood oxygen data within the Respiratory section. Watches acquired prior to 2024 or from international purchases will not reflect these updates.

A U.S. Customs ruling recently concluded a lengthy legal conflict with a health technology company. In 2021, Masimo accused Apple of patent infringement regarding its optical blood monitoring technology. A judicial verdict confirmed Apple's patent violation, subsequently upheld on appeal.

Consequently, Apple temporarily withdrew two relevant products from the market. When launching its new models, they initially omitted the blood oxygen feature—originally introduced in 2020 and regarded as indispensable on recent devices.

Apple mentioned having 'reimagined' the feature, though further specifics remain undisclosed. This change addresses one significant issue. Competing brands like Garmin have provided similar capabilities for extended periods. High-end devices leverage oxygen data to optimize athletes’ performance, particularly beneficial during altitude training, a utility that gained prominence amidst the pandemic.

While individuals may not personally detect changes, their watch can offer clues. The demand for pulse oximeters surged. I observed my declining blood oxygen levels reflected the onset of pneumonia when they plummeted to approximately 84 percent. It is important to consult a healthcare provider if your device indicates a concerning blood oxygen level.

This reinstatement is timely for Apple as it gears up for its September showcase, where it is expected to unveil new iterations of iPhones alongside the anticipated Apple Watch Series 11, likely featuring innovative advancements.