Apple announced that it will reinstate blood oxygen detection on select Apple Watch models in the United States, resolving a long-running legal challenge. The feature, which helps users monitor their respiratory health, will return to Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 devices via a software update, the company confirmed Thursday.
The move follows a multi-year patent dispute with digital health company Masimo. In 2023, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled that Apple had infringed on a Masimo patent related to pulse oximetry technology. At the time, Apple strongly disagreed with the ruling and was forced to suspend the feature on newly sold watches in the US. Devices already in users’ hands, as well as watches sold internationally, were not affected.
Apple’s decision to reintroduce the functionality comes just in time for the holiday shopping season, nearly two years after the feature was temporarily removed from US store shelves. “We’re excited to bring the redesigned blood oxygen feature to our US customers,” Apple said in a statement. Users will need to update to watchOS 11.6.1 and pair their Apple Watch with an iPhone running iOS 18.6.1 to access the restored functionality.
The pulse oximeter works by shining light through the skin to estimate blood oxygen saturation, a technology similar to medical finger-clip devices. Apple first introduced the feature with the Apple Watch Series 6 in 2020, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. While blood oxygen monitoring may not be a top-selling feature, it reflects Apple’s broader ambition to position the Apple Watch as a health-focused device.
Apple has also been exploring advanced health technologies, including noninvasive glucose monitoring, signaling a push into more comprehensive digital health tools. These features aim to strengthen Apple’s competitive edge as rivals intensify efforts in wearable health technology. Samsung, for example, continues to expand health-related functions on its smartwatches, while Google is expected to release a new version of its Pixel Watch soon.
By bringing blood oxygen monitoring back to US Apple Watches, Apple aims to maintain its lead in the wearable health market. Experts note that health features can be a key differentiator for smartwatch buyers and may help Apple retain customers as competitors increasingly emphasize wellness and medical tracking.
The legal resolution allows Apple to continue offering its signature health capabilities to users in its largest market, the Americas. For consumers, the update restores a functionality that has been unavailable in the US for nearly two years, giving Apple Watch owners renewed access to a feature that can provide insights into respiratory and cardiovascular health.
With the software update rolling out Thursday, US Apple Watch users can once again take advantage of blood oxygen readings, reinforcing Apple’s commitment to health-oriented technology while resolving a high-profile legal dispute that disrupted its device offerings.
