Apple has announced the reintroduction of a redesigned Blood Oxygen feature for select models of its Watch Series 8, Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra. The revision allows the company to bypass a United States import ban imposed by the International Trade Commission (ITC).
According to TechCrunch, under the new system, blood oxygen data will be measured and processed via the user’s paired iPhone. Results will appear in the Respiratory section of the Health app. Users will not be able to view this data directly on the watch.
According to Apple, the change follows a recent decision by U.S. Customs, which permits the company to import devices incorporating the redesigned feature.
The update applies only to models sold after the ITC ban came into effect in early 2024. Devices purchased before the ruling, or outside the United States, remain unaffected.
Users of eligible Apple Watches will require an update to both iPhone and watch software to access the revised feature. The update is expected to be made available on Thursday.
The development comes amid an ongoing legal dispute between Apple and Masimo, a medical technology company. Masimo has alleged that Apple misappropriated its pulse oximetry technology following preliminary discussions concerning a potential collaboration.
In 2023, Masimo secured an ITC ruling that blocked imports of Apple Watches with the original blood oxygen feature, with the commission concluding that Apple had infringed upon Masimo’s patents. Apple subsequently removed the feature from devices subject to the ban.
In response, Apple initiated legal proceedings against Masimo, alleging that the company had replicated key features of the Apple Watch in its own product line. Apple has also appealed against the ITC decision.
