How Apple Watch Models Will Restore Blood Oxygen Monitoring Features with a Creative Solution to Bypass Restrictions

The International Trade Commission (ITC) has recently imposed restrictions on the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2, due to infringements on patents held by Masimo. This ruling forced Apple to temporarily disable the blood oxygen monitoring feature for users in the United States. While Masimo celebrated this legal victory, Apple has responded with a significant announcement regarding the restoration of this feature, emphasizing its innovative approach to maintaining its leading position in the tech market.

Blood Oxygen Monitoring Restored: New Updates for Apple Watch Users

According to Apple’s latest press release, owners of the affected Apple Watch models can regain the blood oxygen monitoring capability by updating their paired iPhone to iOS 18.6.1 and their Apple Watch to watchOS 11.6.1. Once these updates are completed, users will be able to access the blood oxygen data via the ‘Blood Oxygen’ app on their Apple Watch and view detailed results in the ‘Respiratory’ section of the Health app on their iPhone. This restoration was made possible by a favorable ruling from U. S.Customs.

“Users with these models in the U. S.who currently do not have the Blood Oxygen feature will have access to the redesigned Blood Oxygen feature by updating their paired iPhone to iOS 18.6.1 and their Apple Watch to watchOS 11.6.1. Following this update, sensor data from the Blood Oxygen app on Apple Watch will be measured and calculated on the paired iPhone, and results can be viewed in the Respiratory section of the Health app. This update was enabled by a recent U. S.Customs ruling.”

It is important to note that the update does not affect Apple Watch models that originally came with the blood oxygen monitoring feature or those purchased outside the U. S.While this clever workaround allows Apple to navigate around the restrictions creatively, users must have access to an iPhone and follow several steps to view their oxygen levels. While the process may seem cumbersome, it is currently Apple’s most effective solution for re-enabling this popular health feature.

For more information, refer to the official news source: Apple Newsroom.

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