Apple Watch Series 9
and
Watch Ultra 2
users in the United States may have to wait until 2028 to regain access to the
blood oxygen monitoring
feature. In January earlier this year, Apple was forced to disable pulse oximetry in these models sold in the US after being found to infringe on patents owned by
Masimo
, a medical technology company.
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) banned Apple from importing the affected Apple Watch models with the pulse oximetry feature enabled.
As a result, Apple implemented a software fix that disables blood oxygen sensing when the watch is paired with an iPhone, rendering the feature inaccessible to users.
CBP confirms potential for reactivation
The federal agency confirms that Apple may be able to reintroduce pulse oximetry in the affected models through a future software update. The original January 12 order from the CBP, which allowed Apple to sell the modified Apple Watch models in the US, was recently published and provides insight into how the company disabled the feature.
Apple
gave Masimo the code that disabled pulse oximetry and test devices during approval. Masimo challenged the fix by pairing the "redesigned" Apple Watches with an older iOS jailbroken iPhone and reactivated the blood oxygen sensing feature. Despite their arguments, the CBP allowed the sale of modified Apple Watch models in the US.
While the ability to reactivate pulse oximetry on a jailbroken iPhone suggests that Apple could re-enable the feature through a software update, the company may have to wait until the relevant patents expire in August 2028.
Blood oxygen monitoring remains available internationally
It is important to note that the disabled pulse oximetry feature only affects Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models sold in the United States. Users in other countries can still access the blood oxygen monitoring feature, as the ban is not applicable outside the US.
However, the US users of affected Apple Watch models may have to wait a while to regain access to blood oxygen monitoring features due to legal challenges surrounding the patent infringement case on Apple. It is expected that the upcoming models would also skip out on the blood oximetry feature until the legal case resolves.
Apple has filed an appeal with the United States International Trade Commission to overturn the ruling, which, if successful, could allow for an earlier reintroduction of the feature.
Alternatively, Apple could settle with Masimo and negotiate a licensing deal. However, Masimo CEO Joe Kiani has stated that any settlement discussion would need to include an apology and an "honest dialogue" from Apple.
FAQs
Blood oxygen monitoring remains available internationally
Will the Apple Watch get blood oxygen back? ›
As noted by ip fray, the patents that Apple was found to have infringed on expire in August of 2028, which means that Apple will be able to re-enable pulse oximetry in affected models at that time.
Why is Apple removing the blood oxygen sensor from the watch? ›
Apple will disable the blood-oxygen feature on premium watches sold in the US as part of a patent dispute. Apple says it will disable a blood-oxygen monitoring feature on its two most popular watches in the U.S. beginning Thursday to comply with a court-ordered revival of a sales ban stemming from a patent dispute.
What is the Apple blood oxygen controversy? ›
You'll remember, but just in case, Apple was accused of patent infringement by health device maker Masimo for the way pulse oximetry (measurement of blood oxygen) worked on the Apple Watch. The monitoring feature was then removed from all Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 devices sold in the U.S. by Apple.
Will the O2 sensor come back to the Apple Watch? ›
According to the document (via ipfray), the patent Apple infringed is set to expire in August 2028. That said, if the US International Trade Commission doesn't accept Apple's appeal before this date, the Cupertino firm could reinstate the blood oxygen feature.
Why does the Apple Watch 9 not have blood oxygen? ›
The Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 are part of an ongoing patent dispute. The Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 will now be sold without their blood oxygen feature. Apple says the move will allow it to sell its high-end watches while staying in compliance amid an ongoing patent dispute with health tech company Masimo.
How accurate is US blood oxygen on Apple Watch? ›
The authors report 95% limits of agreement of -5.8% and +5.9%. In patients and conditions where the conventional pulse oximeter measured >90% spO2, the Apple Watch measured on average 1% higher than the conventional device.
How accurate is the smart watch blood oxygen? ›
The Masimo MightySat Rx SpO2 measurements ranged from 82.0% to 100.0%, with an average of 95.8% and a median of 97.0% (S1 Table). Average SpO2 values from the Apple Watch Series 7, Garmin Venu 2s, Garmin Fenix 6 Pro, and Withings ScanWatch devices were 96.3%, 90.4%, 94.4%, and 94.3%, respectively.
Why is the blood oxygen sensor banned? ›
Apple pulled the watches from store shelves after the International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled that the watches' blood oxygen sensors violated Masimo's patents. The devices were banned on December 26.
Is there a recall on Apple Watch blood oxygen? ›
The ability to measure blood oxygen is no longer available on Apple Watch units sold by Apple in the United States beginning January 18, 2024. These are indicated with part numbers ending in LW/A.
If you deleted the Blood Oxygen app, you can install it again from the App Store on your Apple Watch if you've completed the Blood Oxygen app setup.
Can an Apple Watch measure blood pressure? ›
“At this time, the Apple Watch isn't equipped to measure your blood pressure alone,” says Dr. Bronstein. “ [It] requires pairing with a [separate blood pressure measuring] device to measure and record your blood pressure.”
What is a dangerously low oxygen level while sleeping? ›
Normal and Dangerous Oxygen Levels During Sleep
Normal blood oxygen levels vary from person to person, but for most it's around 95% to 100% regardless of whether they are asleep or awake. A blood oxygen level below 92% may be a cause for concern, while a level below 88% requires prompt medical attention.
Is VO2 max on Apple Watch accurate? ›
This is an estimate based on changes in your heart rate during exercise. The relationship between heart rate and VO2 max is not precise, and it varies from one individual to another. So Apple's predicted VO2 max may not be very accurate. The estimate is also dependent upon your Apple Watch's heart rate sensor.
How to check oxygen level without an oximeter? ›
Here is a way to check whether your oxygen level is dropping or not.
- Keep your palm on your chest.
- Measure your respiratory rate for 1 minute.
- If the rate is less than 24 per minute you are okay.
- If there are 30 breaths per minute, your oxygen level is low.
