Apple Returns Blood Oxygen Monitoring To The Latest Apple Watches

The update will beryllium disposable coming for Series 9, 10 and Ultra 2 owners successful nan U.S.

Blood oxygen monitoring is returning to nan Apple Watch — benignant of. Starting today, Apple is rolling retired a package update that enables a redesigned type of nan characteristic for nan Apple Watch Series 9, 10, and Ultra 2 that circumvents the import ban imposed by nan International Trade Commission.

To get astir nan ban, humor oxygen information collected connected nan Watch will now beryllium measured and calculated connected nan iPhone that it’s paired to. While users won’t beryllium capable to position nan information connected their wrist, they’ll beryllium capable to position it successful nan iPhone’s Health app nether nan Respiratory section. Apple’s announcement states that US customs has ruled that nan institution will beryllium capable to import watches pinch this redesigned feature.

This redesign only covers Apple Watches sold aft January 17th, 2024, erstwhile nan ITC import prohibition took afloat effect. It doesn’t effect models sold earlier that day aliases watches sold extracurricular nan US, each of which still person nan original humor oxygen feature. You tin show if you person a covered exemplary by checking if nan serial number ends pinch LW/A. To get nan redesigned feature, group pinch Series 9, 10, and Ultra 2 watches will person to update their devices to watchOS 11.6.1 and their iPhones to iOS 18.6.1.

Apple has been successful a lengthy ineligible conflict pinch Masimo, a aesculapian instrumentality shaper known for its beat oximeters. Masimo alleged that Apple had infringed connected respective of its patents, filing a suit successful 2020 accusing nan institution of stealing waste and acquisition secrets. Masimo separately revenge a lawsuit pinch nan ITC successful 2021, which culminated successful an import prohibition successful December 2023. Apple has besides lodged suits against Masimo complete its smartwatches, which it claims are Apple Watch clones. It besides revenge a 916-page entreaty of nan ITC ban. That entreaty is presently ongoing and Masimo’s patents are group to expire successful 2028.