Apple Watch Gets Enhanced Blood Oxygen Feature with Latest Software Updates

Apple has revamped its blood oxygen feature on the Apple Watch, previously halted due to a patent dispute with Masimo. The feature will now be available on Series 9, 10, and Ultra 2 models through software updates. The update was enabled by a recent US Customs ruling. Apple promotes its smartwatch's health and fitness features, including heartbeat irregularity, fall, sleep apnea, and noise level detection.

Apple has reintroduced its Blood Oxygen feature on select Apple Watch models, following a patent dispute with Masimo. The feature will be available on Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models through software updates. This update was enabled by a recent U.S. Customs ruling.

The Blood Oxygen feature, previously halted due to the patent dispute, will now be accessible to users with these models in the United States. The software update requires users to update their paired iPhone to iOS 18.6.1 and their Apple Watch to watchOS 11.6.1. The data collected by the Blood Oxygen app on the Apple Watch will be processed on the paired iPhone, and results can be viewed in the Respiratory section of the Health app [1].

The patent dispute between Apple and Masimo has been ongoing for some time. Masimo accused Apple of infringing on its patents and poaching employees who helped develop the technology. In October 2023, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled in favor of Masimo, leading to a temporary halt in the sale of certain Apple Watch models with the Blood Oxygen feature [2]. Apple subsequently resumed sales of modified versions of these watches without the feature, and later secured a pause on the ITC ruling through the Federal Circuit.

The latest update from Apple marks a significant step in resolving the legal battle. By processing the data on the paired iPhone instead of directly on the watch, Apple has avoided violating the patent restrictions imposed by Masimo. This change allows Apple to reintroduce the feature without facing further legal challenges [3].

The Blood Oxygen feature joins a suite of health and fitness features offered on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2. These include irregular rhythm notifications, the ECG app, Sleep Apnea Notifications, Fall Detection, sleep tracking, wrist temperature sensing, the Vitals app, the Noise app, the Medications app, and the Mindfulness app [1].

Apple's decision to reintroduce the feature in this modified form comes after U.S. Customs ruled that it could import watches using this redesigned method. Meanwhile, Apple continues to challenge the original patent decision, hoping that the US Court of Appeals will overturn it [3].

References:
[1] https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/08/an-update-on-blood-oxygen-for-apple-watch-in-the-us/
[2] https://ca.news.yahoo.com/apple-watch-blood-oxygen-feature-174836338.html
[3] https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/us/apple-watch-just-got-a-stunning-upgrade-new-blood-oxygen-feature-launches-today-what-it-means-for-you/amp_articleshow/123308997.cms