In a significant update today, Apple has restored the Blood Oxygen monitoring feature for Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models sold in the United States. The revival is possible via software updates—iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1—enabled by a recent U.S. Customs ruling that circumvents the prior import ban resulting from a patent dispute.
What Changed and Why
The original blood oxygen feature was disabled in early 2024 after a U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) ruling found that Apple’s technology infringed on patents held by the medical tech company Masimo. This led to Apple being forced to reintroduce Apple Watch models without the feature to retain sales in the U.S.
The newly reinstated version works differently: the Apple Watch still collects raw sensor data, but all calculations now occur on the paired iPhone, with results displayed in the iPhone’s Health app under the Respiratory section. Users will no longer see results directly on the watch.
Who Will Benefit from This Update
- Affected models sold in the U.S. (post-ban Series 9, Series 10, Ultra 2) will regain Blood Oxygen monitoring upon updating to iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1.
- Apple Watch units that originally had the feature, purchased outside the U.S., or bought before January 2024 are unaffected and retain their earlier functionality.
Technical & Legal Background
- Legal Battle: The dispute began in 2021 when Masimo accused Apple of infringing its pulse oximetry patents. A 2023 ruling by the ITC led to the import ban, and Apple had been selling watches without the feature since early 2024
- Engineering Workaround: Apple implemented a workaround by moving the computation to the iPhone, enabling them to comply with customs rulings and restore the feature.
- Feature History: First introduced with the Apple Watch Series 6 in 2020, the Blood Oxygen sensor became a critical health feature, especially during the COVID-19 era
Why It Matters
- Health Utility Restored: Users in the U.S. regain access to an important wellness metric, even if performance is now split across devices.
- Technical Ingenuity: Apple’s solution showcases creative adaptation—moving operations to the paired iPhone to navigate legal constraints.
- Consumer Confidence: The update signals Apple’s commitment to restoring features and protecting health functionality amid legal pressures.
- Ongoing Legal Battle: Apple continues to appeal the ITC decision, and Masimo’s patents remain a factor until their expiration in 2028.The Verge
Quick Recap
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Who is affected? | U.S. users with Series 9, 10, Ultra 2 watches sold after January 2024. |
| How to access it? | Update to iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1. |
| Feature differences | Watch collects data; iPhone calculates & displays in Health app. |
| Unaffected users | Those with old models, non-U.S. purchase, or pre-2024 sales. |
| Reason for suspension | Patent infringement ruling involving Masimo’s oximetry tech. |
| Apple’s workaround strategy | Shift computation to iPhone to comply and reinstate functionality. |
