Apple Watch Blood Oxygen Monitoring Returns to U.S. After Patent Dispute
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Apple Watch users in the United States can once again measure their blood oxygen levels using their wearable device,but the functionality has undergone a notable alteration following a legal battle over patent infringement. The feature was temporarily disabled on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models after a U.S. import ban was imposed in late 2023.
Did you know? – The blood oxygen feature measures the saturation of oxygen in your blood, a key indicator of respiratory health. Low levels can signal potential health issues,prompting users to seek medical attention.
The Patent Dispute wiht Masimo
The disruption stemmed from a lawsuit filed by Masimo, a medical technology company, alleging that Apple had infringed upon its patented technology for a pulse oximeter (SpO2) sensor. Masimo claimed Apple had been utilizing this technology in Apple watch models since 2020, beginning with the Series 6.
According to the allegations, Apple actively recruited numerous Masimo employees, including their Chief Medical Officer, and leveraged their expertise to develop the sensor for its Apple Watch lineup. While apple disputed these claims, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) ultimately ruled in favor of Masimo, finding Apple guilty of breaching the patent and issuing a ban on the sale of the affected wearables within the United States.
Reader question: – Do you think the changes to the blood oxygen feature will impact its accuracy? Share your thoughts on the new iPhone-based calculation method in the comments below.
A Software-Based solution
Shortly after the import ban took effect, Apple resumed sales of the series 9 and Ultra 2, but with a crucial modification: the blood oxygen monitoring feature was initially disabled to ensure compliance with the legal ruling. Now, Apple has announced a redesigned approach to the feature, making it available once more through a software update.
Previously, the Apple Watch directly measured and calculated a user’s blood oxygen level using its built-in sensor and the Blood Oxygen app. The new system collects data via the Blood Oxygen app on the watch, but the actual measurement and calculation are now performed on the user’s iPhone. Users can then access this data within the Respiratory section of the Health app. Apple stated that this change was necessitated by a recent ruling from U.S. Customs.
Software Requirements and Regional Availability
To utilize the restored blood oxygen feature, users must have an iPhone running iOS 18.6.1 and an Apple Watch operating on watchOS 11.6.1. Importantly, this change only affects Apple Watch units sold in the United States. Devices purchased outside the U.S., or those that previously included the original feature, remain unaffected.
Initial User Reports and troubleshooting
some users have reported difficulty obtaining manual readings on their Apple Watch Series 10. Though, anecdotal evidence suggests that completing an electrocardiogram (ECG), also known as an EKG, can some
