- Apple shifts Blood Oxygen monitoring from Watch to iPhone due to ITC import ban.
- Update applies only to post-ban Apple Watch models in the U.S.
- Legal dispute with Masimo continues amid redesigned health feature rollout.
Apple has announced a redesigned Blood Oxygen feature for its Watch Series 8, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra models, marking a strategic return of the health-monitoring tool following a U.S. import ban. The update comes as part of a software tweak that shifts blood oxygen calculations from the Apple Watch to the paired iPhone.
Blood Oxygen Monitoring Moves to iPhone
The redesigned feature will allow users to view blood oxygen data exclusively in the Respiratory section of the Health app on their iPhone. Apple Watches will no longer display these readings directly. According to Apple, this change leverages a recent U.S. Customs ruling, enabling the import of watches equipped with the revised Blood Oxygen feature without violating the International Trade Commission’s (ITC) ban.
This update applies only to Apple Watches sold after the ITC import restriction took effect in early 2024. Older models and devices purchased outside the U.S. remain unaffected. Users can access the feature through a software update rolling out Thursday for both iPhone and Apple Watch.
Legal Backdrop: Apple vs. Masimo
The move follows a long-running dispute with medical device maker Masimo. In 2023, Masimo successfully blocked the import of Apple Watches with blood oxygen monitoring, citing patent infringement. Apple subsequently removed the feature. The tech giant counter-sued, alleging that Masimo copied Apple Watch technology for its own smartwatches, and has also filed an appeal of the ITC ruling.
By redesigning the feature to process blood oxygen data on the iPhone, Apple navigates around the ban while continuing to offer health insights to its customers. The company’s strategy underscores the growing tension between tech giants and medical device firms over intellectual property in wearable health technology.
What Users Can Expect
With this update, Apple Watch users regain access to blood oxygen monitoring in a new form. While data visualization will shift to the iPhone, the core functionality remains intact. This solution reflects Apple’s focus on user experience while addressing complex legal and regulatory hurdles.
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Apple’s redesigned Blood Oxygen feature highlights the company’s ability to adapt technology under regulatory pressure. By leveraging software updates and legal avenues, Apple continues to provide key health metrics to its smartwatch users without violating import restrictions.
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