Apple Watch Blood Oxygen Monitoring Restored Today for Latest Models

In a significant development for Apple Watch users, the highly anticipated blood oxygen sensing feature is being restored today via a software update. Owners of Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra Watch 2 models purchased in the US within the last year can now regain access to this key health monitoring capability.

To enable the feature, users must update their paired iPhone to iOS 18.6.1 and their Apple Watch to watchOS 11.6.1. Once updated, blood oxygen data will be calculated and viewable in the Respiratory section of the Health app. This update specifically targets watches affected by a previous US Customs ruling.

The return of the feature follows the resolution of a prolonged patent dispute with health tech company Masimo. Apple had been forced to suspend sales of affected models and disable the feature due to a 2021 lawsuit claiming patent infringement on optical blood monitoring technology. This led to the Apple Watch Series 10 launching without the popular blood oxygen sensor, a feature that has become standard on many fitness trackers and gained significant importance during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Apple states it has “redesigned” the feature to comply with the ruling, though specific details remain undisclosed. This restoration marks a crucial improvement for Apple’s latest smartwatches, addressing a major functional gap. The timing is particularly favorable for Apple, coming just ahead of its annual September event, where the company is expected to unveil new iPhones and the Apple Watch Series 11, potentially featuring even more advanced health functionalities.

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