Apple Restores Blood Oxygen Tracking to Select U.S. Watches After Legal Dispute

The affected devices Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 were sold without the feature due to an import ban imposed by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) in 2023.

1. Why the Feature Was Removed

The legal dispute began when Masimo accused Apple of hiring its employees and misappropriating proprietary pulse oximetry technology. In 2023, the ITC agreed with Masimo, ruling that Apple’s blood oxygen feature infringed on Masimo’s patents.

This ruling resulted in a ban on importing certain Apple Watch models into the U.S. Apple temporarily paused sales, then resumed them after securing a short-term stay from the Federal Circuit. However, the ban was reinstated a month later, leading Apple to remove the feature from newly sold U.S. watches.

2. Summary (Quick Reference)

3. The Software-Based Solution

Apple’s latest move cleverly navigates the ITC restrictions. The reinstated feature works through a software update watchOS 11.6.1 for the Apple Watch and iOS 18.6.1 for the iPhone.

Here’s how it works:

• The Apple Watch sensors still collect raw oxygen data.

• Instead of processing the data directly on the watch, the information is sent to a paired iPhone.

• The iPhone’s Health app calculates and displays the results under the Respiratory section.

By shifting the data processing to the iPhone, Apple avoids infringing on the disputed on-device technology.

4. Which Devices Are Eligible

Only certain watches are affected:

• Eligible: Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 units sold in the U.S. without blood oxygen functionality enabled.

• Not Affected: Watches purchased outside the U.S. or U.S. models sold before the import ban; these devices still display readings directly on the watch.

Apple has advised that eligible models often have serial numbers ending in “LW/A,” indicating they were manufactured and sold after the ban took effect.

5. How to Enable the Feature

Users can regain blood oxygen tracking by:

1. Updating the Apple Watch to watchOS 11.6.1.

2. Updating the paired iPhone to iOS 18.6.1.

3. Opening the Health app on the iPhone, navigating to the Respiratory section, and starting a measurement session from the watch.

Once the session is initiated, readings will be processed and displayed in the Health app.

6. The Broader Legal Landscape

Apple first launched pulse oximetry in its Series 6 model in 2020. Massimo later released its W1 watch in 2022 and filed patent claims against Apple. The ITC’s decision in 2023 set off a chain of appeals, temporary sales halts, and feature removals.

Apple continues to challenge the ITC’s ruling in court. Massimo has also filed additional lawsuits, and the matter remains unresolved. While the software solution provides relief for customers, the legal fight over the technology is far from over.

7. Why This Matters

For Apple, this workaround allows it to maintain feature parity across its ecosystem while complying with legal restrictions. For customers, it restores a health metric many find essential, particularly for monitoring respiratory conditions and high-altitude wellness.

The return of blood oxygen tracking albeit in a modified form underscores the role of software ingenuity in overcoming hardware-related legal barriers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Which Apple Watch models get the feature back?

A: U.S. versions of Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 sold without blood oxygen capability.

Q2: Will I see readings on my watch screen?

A: No, eligible models will display results only in the iPhone’s Health app.

Q3: Is this available outside the U.S.?

A: The update specifically targets U.S. watches affected by the import ban. International models remain unchanged.

Q4: Why is processing now done on the iPhone?

A: To avoid infringing on Masimo’s patents by moving the calculation process off the watch.

Q5: Is the legal dispute over?

A: No, litigation between Apple and Masimo is ongoing.

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