Blood oxygen monitoring features are making a comeback on the Apple Watch, starting today. Apple is launching a software update that introduces a new version of the blood oxygen feature for the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2, circumventing a ban imposed by the International Trade Commission (ITC).
To bypass the ban, blood oxygen measurements collected on the watch will now be processed through the user’s paired iPhone. While users will not be able to see this data directly on their watches, it will be accessible in the Health app on the iPhone, specifically under the Respiratory section. According to Apple’s statement, US customs have confirmed that the redesigned devices can be imported.
This new feature will be available only for Apple Watches sold after January 17, 2024, the date the ITC import ban fully came into effect. Watches sold prior to this date or those outside the United States will retain the original blood oxygen feature. Users can verify if their devices are eligible for the new feature by checking for a serial number ending in LW/A. In order to access the updated feature, Apple Watch Series 9, 10, and Ultra 2 users will need to upgrade their watches to watchOS 11.6.1 and their iPhones to iOS 18.6.1.
Apple has been engaged in a protracted legal battle with Masimo, a manufacturer known for its pulse oximeters. Masimo has accused Apple of infringing on several of its patents and filed a lawsuit in 2020 claiming the company misappropriated trade secrets. Furthermore, in 2021, Masimo lodged a complaint with the ITC that resulted in the import ban issued in December 2023. Apple has also counter-sued Masimo, alleging that its smartwatches are imitations of the Apple Watch. Additionally, the company submitted a lengthy appeal against the ITC ban, which is still under consideration, while Masimo’s patents are set to expire in 2028.
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