Apple updates blood oxygen feature through iPhone processing

Apple changes how blood oxygen is calculated on newer Apple Watches by processing data on the paired iPhone to meet regulatory requirements amid a legal battle with Masimo.

Apple reroutes blood oxygen data to iPhone for redesigned watch feature

Apple announced a redesigned blood oxygen feature for the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 that processes data on the paired iPhone rather than on the watch itself. The change is available through watchOS 11.6.1 and iOS 18.6.1 and applies to watches sold after January 17, 2024. Older models and watches sold outside the United States retain the original on-device calculation.

US customs have allowed the import of these redesigned watches as a way to work around the ITC import ban. The shift follows a long-running dispute with Masimo, which has accused Apple of patent infringement and misappropriation of trade secrets. The two companies continue their lawsuits, and Masimo’s patents are set to expire in 2028.

The move shows how regulatory decisions can shape product design just as much as consumer demand. By moving processing to the iPhone, Apple keeps the familiar health experience while staying compliant with the ban, but it also raises questions about who controls health data and how portable that data remains when the phone is not nearby.

Masimo’s case highlights the high stakes in health tech. If the legal battle lasts, some features could become contingent on court outcomes rather than technology promises. That dynamic could slow innovation and affect how future health sensors are rolled out across devices and markets.

Highlights

Regulators and users will watch closely as design choices in health sensors continue to merge with mobile platforms.