Apple Watch resumes blood oxygen monitoring, albeit with some modifications
In a unique turn of events, Apple has managed to reintroduce the blood oxygen monitoring feature on its Apple Watch in the United States, despite an ongoing legal battle with Masimo over patent infringement.
The dispute, which began in mid-2021, saw Masimo and Cercacor Laboratories file complaints with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), leading to an investigation in August 2021 [1][4]. Masimo alleged that Apple infringed on five of its patents related to pulse oximetry technology.
In October 2023, the ITC ruled that Apple had violated Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, effectively barring certain Apple Watch imports that used the infringing technology [1]. The legal battle has continued since, with Apple appealing the decision and Masimo enforcing import bans.
Apple, however, found a workaround by changing the method it uses to measure blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) in its Apple Watch models. This allowed Apple to reintroduce blood oxygen monitoring features to the Apple Watch in the U.S. in August 2025, before the patents expire [2][4].
Masimo has continued to contest this move, filing lawsuits not only against Apple for infringement and alleged trade secret theft but also against U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for allowing Apple Watch imports that implement this new method [3][5]. Masimo's patents related to the original pulse oximetry technology are set to expire around 2028, after which Apple could potentially restore its earlier implementation without infringement risks [2].
To enable the blood oxygen feature, users must update both their iPhone and smartwatch to the latest builds, iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1 respectively. Unfortunately, due to the patent dispute, the blood oxygen reading is not natively displayed on the Apple Watch screen. Instead, users will need to open the Health app on their iPhone to view the blood oxygen measurement in the Respiratory section.
The blood oxygen level measurement capability will be enabled on the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 with the latest software update. After updating their devices, these models will be able to provide blood oxygen readings.
This dispute highlights the complex intersection of patent law, import regulations, and technology development in wearable health sensors. Apple’s strategic shift to a different sensing method has allowed it to resume offering SpO2 monitoring despite ongoing litigation, but the issue remains contested in courts and regulatory bodies [2][3][4].
References:
- ITC rules Apple violated patent laws over blood oxygen sensor in Apple Watch
- Apple reintroduces blood oxygen monitoring on Apple Watch in US using new method
- Masimo sues U.S. Customs and Border Protection to block Apple Watch imports
- Timeline: Apple, Masimo's patent dispute over blood oxygen monitoring on Apple Watch
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