Apple is bringing blood oxygen measurements back in some of some of its latest Apple Watch models in the United States, but with a twist. The feature is returning after a patent dispute after the absence of months that forced the company to remove it from the newly sold equipment. Now, Apple is restoring the feature with a workaround through the latest software update for iOS 18.6.1 and Watches 11.6.1.

Apple’s decision to issue updates follows a fresh US customs decision that allows the company to import watches with a re -designed version of technology. So now instead of processing the reading on the watch, the updated system will allow the Apple Watch to send raw sensor data to the coupled iPhone for calculating. The final results will then be available in the respiratory section of the health app. In short, the Apple Watch users will once again be able to measure their blood oxygen levels with their watch, but the results will appear on the iPhone.

Ban on blood oxygen facility in Apple Watch

The latest verdict around the workaround stems from a long -running legal battle between California -based medical technology firm Apple and Masimo, known for its pulse oximeter. The company accused Apple of violating pass related to pulse oxymetry, the technique behind blood oxygen measurement. It was also alleged that the iPhone manufacturer had hunted employees to achieve business secrets. Masimo took the case to the US International Trade Commission (ITC) and, after years of years, the ITC biased with Masimo in 2023, which banned some Apple watches equipped with disputed technology.

After the ruling, Apple can no longer sell models such as series 9 and Ultra 2 in the US with original blood oxygen feature. By 17 January 2024, Apple had to ship these watches without functionality, while the models sold before or outside the US – maintained their entire abilities.

Now, with the new OS update, Apple is re -introducing the feature in the US through this workaround. The company said, “Users with these models in the US who do not currently have blood oxygen feature, they will have access to re -designed blood oxygen feature by updating their paired iPhone at iOS 18.6.1 and 11.6.1.1,” said to see their Apple Watch 11.6.1.1, “the company said. It states that “there will be no effect on the already purchased Apple Watch Units which include the original blood oxygen facility, nor to include the Apple Watch units purchased outside the US”

However, it is worth noting that the new version applies to watches sold only after the ITC ban is effective only. Users can check the eligibility by looking at the serial number of the device from behind. The Apple Watch model “LW/A” contains models that were affected by the restriction and will achieve blood oxygen features re -designed through updates.

Apple launched blood oxygen tracking during the height of the Kovid -19 epidemic in 2020. Although it was never promoted as a medical-grade diagnostic tool, this feature proved to be popular among health-conscious users and monitoring respiratory issues. It is also part of the company’s comprehensive health and fitness tracking suits, including ECG reading, irregular heart rhythms, sleep tracking, temperature sensation, detection and more.