Good news for Apple Watch users in the United States — the Blood Oxygen Tracking feature is finally back! Apple has started to give this health tool again after it was removed for many years because of a patent problem.
Why Was It Removed?
A few years ago, a company said that Apple used their idea (technology) without permission. This made a big legal problem. In the U.S., if a company is found to be using another company's invention without a license, it can’t sell or use that product until the problem is solved.
This happened to Apple. The Blood Oxygen feature stayed off on U.S. Apple Watches for almost five years. Apple had to wait for a decision from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the International Trade Commission.
You can read more about the original dispute in this Gizmodo article.
How Did Apple Fix It?
Apple worked with engineers to make a new system that does not break the patent rules. The big change is:
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The Apple Watch will still collect blood oxygen data.
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But the data will now be processed on your iPhone instead of only on the watch.
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You can see this data in the Respiratory Section of the Health app on your iPhone.
This update is part of iOS 18.6.1 for iPhones and watchOS 11.6.1 for Apple Watches.
How to Get Blood Oxygen Tracking Back
If you are in the United States and have an Apple Watch with a blood oxygen sensor (Series 6 or newer), you can follow these steps:
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Update Your iPhone
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Go to Settings → General → Software Update.
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Download and install iOS 18.6.1.
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Update Your Apple Watch
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On your iPhone, open the Watch app.
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Go to General → Software Update.
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Install watchOS 11.6.1.
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Turn on Blood Oxygen App
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On the watch, open the Blood Oxygen app.
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If asked, follow on-screen instructions to set it up.
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For official update instructions, visit Apple’s Support Page.
Why Blood Oxygen Tracking Matters
Blood oxygen (SpO₂) is a measure of how much oxygen your blood is carrying. Most healthy people have between 95% and 100%.
Low oxygen levels can be a sign of health problems, such as:
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Breathing issues
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Lung disease
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Heart problems
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Sleep issues like sleep apnea
Apple Watch users can use this feature to:
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Track their health daily
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See patterns over time
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Share results with doctors
Remember: The Apple Watch is not a medical device. It can help give early signs, but only a doctor can give you a diagnosis.
User Reaction
Many users are happy to have this tool back. People on social media are posting screenshots of their blood oxygen levels again. Health enthusiasts, runners, and even hikers say it’s useful for tracking performance.
What This Means for Wearable Technology
This story shows that wearable technology is not just about fun or style — it’s about health. It also shows how legal rules can affect what features you get.
Apple is not the only company facing such issues. Other smartwatch brands also need to make sure their technology is legal in every country they sell in.
For example:
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Fitbit adds new features but must follow privacy laws.
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Samsung Galaxy Watch offers blood pressure and ECG tools, but these are not available in all countries because of approvals needed from health agencies.
Final Thoughts
Apple Watch users in the U.S. can finally use Blood Oxygen Tracking again. If you have the right model, update your devices today to get the feature.
It’s a good reminder that technology is always changing — not just because of new inventions, but also because of laws and agreements.
Quick Summary Table
| Feature | Before | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Oxygen Tracking | Removed in the U.S. due to patent dispute | Back in U.S. with iPhone processing |
| Data Location | On Apple Watch only | On paired iPhone |
| Software Needed | — | iOS 18.6.1 + watchOS 11.6.1 |
| Models Supported | Series 6 and newer | Same |
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