Apple Watches to Reintroduce Blood Oxygen Monitoring Amid Patent Dispute Resolution

In a significant development for users of Apple Watches in the United States, Apple has announced plans to reactivate the blood oxygen monitoring feature that had been disabled for over 18 months due to a patent dispute. This feature, which allows users to measure their blood oxygen levels, will be available again through software updates for the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2.

The reactivation of this functionality is set to coincide with updates to iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1, allowing users to perform blood oxygen measurements via their paired iPhones. However, results will only be accessible through the Health app on the iPhone, rather than being displayed directly on the watch itself, which contrasts with the functionality available in other regions, such as Germany, where users can view their blood oxygen levels directly on the device.

Importantly, this update will not affect Apple Watches that still possess the original blood oxygen measurement capability, nor will it impact models purchased outside the United States. Users who bought their watches during trips to the U.S. within the past year and a half will also benefit from this feature reactivation.

The reinstatement of the blood oxygen monitoring capability follows a recent decision by U.S. Customs, which has enabled Apple to lift the restrictions that had been imposed due to patent infringement claims by Masimo, a medical technology company. In late 2023, the International Trade Commission (ITC) found Apple in violation of two patents held by Masimo, leading to an import ban on certain models of Apple Watches in the U.S.

The ongoing patent litigation between Masimo and Apple has been contentious, with both companies engaged in a series of lawsuits and countersuits. The exact impact of the temporarily disabled blood oxygen feature on Apple Watch sales remains uncertain, especially as revenues in Apple's wearables segment have shown signs of stagnation in recent months.

Although the blood oxygen measurement feature has been criticized for its limited clinical validity and accuracy, Apple continues to focus on enhancing the health monitoring capabilities of its devices. The blood oxygen app is now integrated into the broader Vital Signs functionality of watchOS 11, which tracks various health metrics such as heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, sleep duration, and blood oxygen levels, providing users with insights that may indicate potential health issues.

Looking ahead, Apple is anticipated to unveil new models, including the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3, alongside the iPhone 17 line in the coming weeks, further expanding its health and fitness ecosystem.