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2w ago

Apple Reinstates Blood Oxygen Measurement on U.S. Watches With iPhone-Based Calculations

Apple cites a U.S. Customs ruling for its software update, which moves blood oxygen computations to iPhones for Series 9, Series 10, Ultra 2 users in the U.S.

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Apple will mit einer Gesundheitsstudie neue Erkenntnisse sammeln und daraus Features entwickeln. (Bild: Shutterstock/Chinnapong)

Overview

  • watchOS 11.6.1 and iOS 18.6.1 update restores the SpO2 feature on U.S. Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10 and Ultra 2 by relocating measurements to the paired iPhone’s Health app
  • the redesign omits on-watch calculation and display for U.S. units, unlike international models that continue processing SpO₂ data directly on the device
  • Apple disabled the blood oxygen app on U.S. watches with part numbers ending in LW/A in early 2024 to comply with an ITC import ban following Masimo’s patent infringement ruling
  • the workaround is enabled by a recent U.S. Customs decision but does not resolve the ongoing legal dispute between Apple and Masimo
  • users seeking to restore blood oxygen readings must install watchOS 11.6.1 on their Apple Watch and iOS 18.6.1 on their paired iPhone