Blood oxygen monitoring, once a key health-tracking feature on Apple Watches, remains unavailable due to an ongoing patent dispute with medical technology company Masimo. The functionality, which debuted on the Apple Watch Series 6 and was later included in the Series 9 and Ultra models, was disabled after Apple lost a legal battle over patent infringement.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the feature will not return in time for the anticipated Apple Watch Series 11 launch this fall. Apple has reportedly chosen not to resolve the dispute, leaving the future of blood oxygen monitoring on its wearables uncertain. The company has not commented on the matter.
Why Blood Oxygen Monitoring Matters
The feature is particularly valuable for fitness enthusiasts and individuals with respiratory conditions, such as COVID-19 or pneumonia, who rely on real-time oxygen level readings to monitor their health. Despite the hardware still being present in recent Apple Watch models, the software has been deactivated since the legal ruling.
To reinstate the feature, Apple would need to either win an appeal, negotiate a settlement with Masimo, or develop an alternative blood oxygen sensing technology. Another option is waiting until Masimo’s patent expires in 2028—meaning users may not see the feature return for several years.
Competing Wearables Fill the Gap
While Apple remains sidelined, other major wearable brands—including Samsung, Garmin, and Polar—continue to offer blood oxygen monitoring in their devices. Meanwhile, Apple is rumored to be working on new health features for future models, such as blood pressure monitoring, an AI-powered health coach, and deeper integration with Apple Intelligence.
For now, Apple Watch users will have to wait—or look elsewhere—for blood oxygen tracking capabilities.
