iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1 Released: Blood Oxygen Monitoring Returns to U.S. Apple Watches

Apple contiguous released iOS 18.6.1 for the iPhone and watchOS 11.6.1 for the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2. The updates re-enable humor oxygen monitoring successful the United States.


iOS 18.6.1 tin beryllium downloaded connected eligible iPhones over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. watchOS 11.6.1 is disposable for newer Apple Watch models that person humor oxygen monitoring disabled, and it tin beryllium downloaded done the Apple Watch app connected the ‌iPhone‌.

Apple said that humor oxygen monitoring is coming backmost to U.S. Apple Watch models owed to a "recent U.S. Customs ruling."

Back successful aboriginal 2024, the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) recovered that Apple violated humor oxygen sensing patents owned by Masimo. The ITC implemented a commercialized ban, and Apple had to halt selling the Apple Watch Series 9 and ‌Apple Watch Ultra 2‌. Sales resumed aft Apple disabled the humor oxygen monitoring diagnostic successful Apple Watch devices sold successful the U.S.

Since January 2024, nary Apple Watch models purchased successful the U.S. person had a functioning humor oxygen sensor, including the Apple Watch Series 9, the Apple Watch Series 10, and the ‌Apple Watch Ultra 2‌.


With iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1, Apple is implementing a workaround. Data collected by the humor oxygen sensor connected the Apple Watch volition beryllium processed connected a paired ‌iPhone‌, with the results disposable successful the Respiratory conception of the Health app.

The diagnostic typically allows users to spot a readout of their humor oxygen level close connected the Apple Watch, but this isn't however it volition enactment successful the U.S.

The update is designed for Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, and ‌Apple Watch Ultra 2‌ models sold successful the U.S. that bash not already person humor oxygen sensing available. Blood oxygen monitoring remained disposable connected older ticker models, and determination has besides been nary alteration to Apple Watch models sold extracurricular of the United States.
This article, "iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1 Released: Blood Oxygen Monitoring Returns to U.S. Apple Watches" archetypal appeared connected MacRumors.com

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