Latest Update on Apple Watch Series 9 and Beyond: New Features in Blood Oxygen Tracking and Step-by-Step Guide for Usage
After a temporary halt due to a patent dispute with medical tech company Masimo, Apple has reintroduced the blood oxygen tracking feature on the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 models in the U.S.
The redesign of the software update, iOS 18.6.1, and watchOS 11.6.1, has shifted the data processing from the Apple Watch to the paired iPhone. This move allows Apple to adhere to new legal and regulatory constraints, as the calculations and display of blood oxygen levels are now performed on the iPhone.
The blood oxygen reading results are now accessible in the Health app under the Respiratory section on the iPhone. The Blood Oxygen app icon and instructions on how to use it remain the same as before.
The blood oxygen tracking feature was initially introduced on the Apple Watch Series 6 in 2020. Despite the app being removed earlier in 2024, the hardware sensors for blood oxygen tracking remained unchanged.
The dispute only affected watches imported into the U.S., and models sold elsewhere in the world continued to have the feature. The updated Blood Oxygen app is available on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 after updating to watchOS 11.6.1, and the iPhone also needs to be updated to iOS 18.6.1 to use the updated Blood Oxygen app.
The Health app displays the range of results across a chosen interval and explanations of the blood oxygen metric, enhancing the user experience by integrating the results directly into the Health app on iPhone.
The blood oxygen reading on watches outside the U.S. still ends with a chirp and a screen showing the blood oxygen percentage. The Blood Oxygen app was not affected by the dispute in regions outside of the U.S.
Millions of users in the U.S. can now benefit from the blood oxygen tracking feature, which was previously unavailable on the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 models. Apple's decision to move data processing to the iPhone marks a significant step in maintaining the functionality of this valuable health feature while complying with legal restrictions.
- The release of the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 comes with the return of the blood oxygen tracking feature, a technology advancement that can potentially aid in health-and-wellness monitoring, especially in conjunction with the expected Apple iPhone iOS 18.6.1 update.
- As science and technology continue to intertwine, the reintroduction of the blood oxygen tracking feature on Apple Watch devices in the U.S. emphasizes the importance of medical-conditions integration within technology, contributing to a more informed approach to health-and-wellness management.
