Apple Restores Blood Oxygen Feature to Newer Apple Watch Models in U.S. via Software Update

In a significant move for Apple Watch owners, Apple announced it will re-enable a redesigned Blood Oxygen monitoring feature for specific models in the United States. The functionality will be restored for users of Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 who purchased their devices after a sales ban temporarily removed the feature.

The restoration comes via software updates rolling out later today. To access the redesigned feature, users will need to update their paired iPhone to iOS 18.6.1 and their Apple Watch to watchOS 11.6.1.

This development marks the latest chapter in the patent dispute that led to the feature’s initial removal from new units sold in the U.S. The change was made possible by a recent favorable ruling from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The New Implementation: How It Works

The restored feature operates differently from the original version. While the Apple Watch’s advanced sensors will still measure the raw data for blood oxygen saturation, the actual calculation and processing will now be handled by the user’s paired iPhone.

Following the update, users will no longer see the immediate Blood Oxygen percentage on the watch itself. Instead, the collected sensor data will be securely transmitted to the iPhone, where the Health app will process it. The results can then be viewed within the Respiratory section of the Health app.

Apple has confirmed that this change will have no impact on two key groups:

• Apple Watch users who purchased their devices prior to the sales ban and have the original Blood Oxygen feature.
• Any Apple Watch units purchased outside of the United States.

These users will continue to experience the Blood Oxygen app as it has always functioned.

A Commitment to Health

In its announcement, Apple reiterated its dedication to user well-being, stating, “Apple’s teams work tirelessly to create products and services that empower users with industry-leading health, wellness, and safety features that are grounded in science and have privacy at the core.”

The company highlighted that the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 continue to offer a robust suite of health and safety tools. These include:

• • Irregular rhythm notifications and the ECG app for heart health
• • Sleep Apnea Notifications
• • Fall Detection and Crash Detection
• • Detailed sleep tracking with sleep stages
• • Wrist temperature sensing for cycle tracking
• • The Vitals app for an at-a-glance health summary
• • The Noise app for hearing health
• • The Medications and Mindfulness apps

This software-based workaround is a strategic solution for Apple, allowing it to navigate a complex legal landscape while restoring a highly valued health metric to its U.S. customers. Users with eligible devices are encouraged to install the iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1 updates as soon as they become available.

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