Apple Restores Blood Oxygen Feature to US Apple Watches After Patent Dispute

Apple has announced the return of blood oxygen monitoring to select Apple Watch models in the United States, ending a long-standing patent dispute. The feature, designed to help users track respiratory health, will now be available on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 through a software update, the company confirmed Thursday.

The reinstatement follows a legal battle with digital health company Masimo. In 2023, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled that Apple had infringed a Masimo patent related to pulse oximetry technology. Apple contested the decision but was required to suspend the feature for newly sold watches in the US. Watches already in customers’ hands, as well as models sold internationally, were unaffected.

With the feature returning just ahead of the holiday season, Apple stated, “We’re excited to bring the redesigned blood oxygen feature back to our US customers.” To access the restored functionality, users must update their Apple Watch to watchOS 11.6.1 and pair it with an iPhone running iOS 18.6.1.

Blood oxygen detection uses light sensors to estimate oxygen saturation in the blood, similar to traditional medical pulse oximeters. Apple first introduced this feature with the Apple Watch Series 6 in 2020, during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. While it may not be a primary selling point, the capability highlights Apple’s continued focus on health and wellness as a core feature of its wearable devices.

The company is also pursuing other advanced health technologies, including noninvasive glucose monitoring, signaling its broader push into digital health innovation. Competitors are similarly expanding health-focused features on wearable devices: Samsung continues to enhance wellness tools on its smartwatches, while Google is expected to unveil updates to its Pixel Watch lineup soon.

By restoring blood oxygen monitoring in the US, Apple reinforces its leadership in the wearable health sector. Experts note that these health-oriented capabilities are becoming a key factor for smartwatch buyers and may help Apple maintain its edge as competitors increasingly emphasize wellness and medical tracking features.

The resolution of the legal dispute allows Apple to offer a full suite of health functionalities to customers in its largest market. For users, the update restores access to a feature that had been unavailable domestically for nearly two years, providing valuable insights into cardiovascular and respiratory health.

With the software update now available, US Apple Watch owners can once again benefit from blood oxygen monitoring, reaffirming Apple’s commitment to integrating advanced health technology into its devices while resolving a prominent legal challenge.