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2h ago

Apple Restores SpO2 Tracking to U.S. Apple Watch via iPhone Workaround

iOS 18.6.1 with watchOS 11.6.1 shifts blood oxygen calculations to the iPhone under a U.S. Customs-approved workaround

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New in iOS 26 beta 7: Adaptive power notifications, blood oxygen

Overview

  • Apple released iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1 on August 14 to bring back blood oxygen monitoring for Series 9, Series 10 and Ultra 2 models sold in the U.S.
  • The updated setup records raw SpO₂ sensor data on the watch while performing measurements and displaying results in the Health app’s Respiratory section on the paired iPhone.
  • A recent U.S. Customs ruling enabled this technical workaround after an ITC exclusion order barred the on-watch feature amid a patent dispute with Masimo.
  • Users must install both operating-system updates and restart their iPhone and Apple Watch to resume on-demand and background blood oxygen readings.
  • The broader legal battle over Masimo’s patents remains active at the Federal Circuit with key patents set to expire in 2028, leaving the long-term solution unresolved.