Apple Revives Blood Oxygen Feature on Select Watches with iPhone Processing

Apple is bringing back its blood oxygen feature to select Apple Watch models through a redesigned version that complies with a recent import ban. The feature will now be processed on the iPhone, not the watch, and users will need to check the iPhone's Health app to view the results. This change is part of Apple's legal fight with Masimo over pulse oximetry technology. Analysts have a Moderate Buy consensus rating on AAPL stock with an average price target of $239.18 per share.

Apple has announced the return of its Blood Oxygen feature to certain Apple Watch models through a redesigned version that complies with a recent import ban. The feature will now be processed on the iPhone, not the watch, and users will need to check the iPhone's Health app to view the results [1]. This change is part of Apple's ongoing legal battle with Masimo over pulse oximetry technology [2][3].

The redesigned feature will be available on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models. Users in the U.S. who own these models but do not currently have the Blood Oxygen feature will be able to access it by updating their paired iPhone to iOS 18.6.1 and their Apple Watch to watchOS 11.6.1 [1]. The update enables the iPhone to measure and calculate the sensor data from the Blood Oxygen app, which can then be viewed in the Respiratory section of the Health app [1].

The decision to move the processing of blood oxygen data to the iPhone is a strategic move to comply with the recent U.S. Customs ruling, which allows Apple to import Apple Watches with the redesigned Blood Oxygen feature [1][4]. This update does not affect previously sold models with the original version of the feature or units bought outside the U.S. [1][4].

The return of the Blood Oxygen feature is a significant win for Apple, as it was initially introduced in 2020 to beef up its health-tracking capabilities [2]. However, the feature was removed from some models in 2024 following a patent dispute with Masimo [2][3]. In 2023, the International Trade Commission found that certain Apple Watch models violated Masimo's patent and blocked Apple from importing watches with the feature into the U.S. [3].

Apple has been engaged in an ongoing legal dispute with Masimo, with the company accusing Apple of stealing its pulse oximetry technology [3]. The tech giant has also filed lawsuits against Masimo, claiming that the company copied Apple Watch features to use in its own smartwatches [3].

Analysts have a Moderate Buy consensus rating on AAPL stock with an average price target of $239.18 per share [5].

References:
[1] https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/08/an-update-on-blood-oxygen-for-apple-watch-in-the-us/
[2] https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-brings-blood-oxygen-feature-back-some-apple-watch-models-2025-8
[3] https://www.fiercebiotech.com/medtech/apple-brings-back-blood-oxygen-tracking-apple-watch-skirting-masimo-dispute
[4] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/apple-blood-oxygen-monitoring-returns-135123763.html
[5] Analyst consensus rating and price target for AAPL stock.