Apple announced on Thursday that it will restore its blood oxygen measurement feature to certain Apple Watch models in the United States through a software update, following approval from U.S. Customs. The decision comes after a prolonged legal battle with medical technology company Masimo over pulse oximetry patents.
Which Apple Watches Will Get the Blood Oxygen Feature?
The update will apply to:
- Apple Watch Series 9
- Apple Watch Series 10
- Apple Watch Ultra 2
With the update, U.S. users will be able to measure their blood oxygen levels using the Blood Oxygen app on the watch, with calculations displayed on a paired iPhone.
The Apple vs. Masimo Legal Dispute
The dispute began after Masimo accused Apple of poaching employees and stealing proprietary pulse oximetry technology following discussions of a potential partnership. Masimo claimed Apple infringed on its patents and won a ruling from the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to block imports of certain Apple Watch models.
Key timeline:
- 2020: Apple introduces blood oxygen monitoring in Apple Watch Series 6.
- 2022: Masimo releases its W1 blood oxygen tracking watch.
- 2023: ITC bans imports of Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 with the feature.
- Late 2023: Apple briefly resumes sales after a Federal Circuit pause, but the ban is later reinstated, forcing Apple to remove pulse oximetry capabilities from U.S. models.
Software Update Approved by U.S. Customs
The affected watches shipped without the feature, but Apple says the software restoration has now been cleared by U.S. Customs. Once installed, users can start a blood oxygen session on the watch, and built-in sensors will gather data for the iPhone to process and display.
What This Means for Apple Watch Users
The move allows millions of U.S. Apple Watch owners to regain access to a key health tracking capability, strengthening Apple’s position in the wearable health tech market. However, the broader patent dispute with Masimo remains ongoing, meaning future product features could still face legal challenges.
