Blood Oxygen Monitoring Feature on Apple Watch Remains Banned in the U.S.

The blood oxygen monitoring feature on Apple Watch models sold in the United States continues to be unavailable, primarily due to an ongoing patent dispute with the medical technology company Masimo. This feature, which has been part of Apple Watch since the Series 6, has been inactive for U.S. users since the winter of 2023.

Despite the potential for an import ban, which Apple managed to avoid through software modifications, there are no current plans to reactivate this feature for new customers purchasing the latest models, including the Series 10 and Ultra 2. This is particularly notable given that the necessary hardware to support the feature is present in these devices.

Apple's inability to reach a settlement with Masimo has resulted in this ongoing limitation. The last significant development in the legal proceedings occurred in October of the previous year when Apple achieved a minor victory in a counterclaim, though it resulted in only a small financial gain. The legal landscape remains complicated as both local courts and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) are involved, and Apple is also contending with another American company in this dispute.

Notably, the blood oxygen monitoring feature has never achieved widespread popularity among Apple Watch users. Apple itself has emphasized that the functionality is intended for wellness and fitness purposes rather than as a medical tool. Criticism regarding the accuracy of its measurements was also raised during its initial launch in 2020.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the functionality of a pulse oximeter became crucial for assessing oxygen levels in patients, underscoring its potential importance. However, the Apple Watch's ability to consistently measure blood oxygen levels has faced challenges, particularly during sleep monitoring. Interestingly, Apple has implemented a feature to detect sleep apnea without relying on the blood oxygen sensor, utilizing other advanced motion sensors integrated into the device instead.