Apple has released iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1, restoring the blood oxygen monitoring feature to U.S. Apple Watch users after it was previously disabled due to a patent dispute with medical technology company Masimo. This update brings a key health tool back to Apple’s smartwatch lineup, following a lengthy legal battle that had directly impacted functionality for American customers.
Toward the end of 2023, the dispute forced Apple to temporarily halt sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the U.S. Although sales resumed in early 2024, they came with a notable omission: blood oxygen sensing was disabled at the software level. Even worse, users who sent their devices in for service risked losing access to the feature altogether.
Now, with the launch of iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1, Apple says users in the U.S. can regain access to redesigned blood oxygen capabilities. According to the company, data from the Apple Watch will now be processed through the paired iPhone, with results available in the Respiratory section of the Health app. While the feature’s interface may have been adjusted to comply with legal restrictions, its core functionality is intact.
This update won’t change anything for Apple Watch owners outside the U.S., where blood oxygen monitoring was never affected. But for American users, especially those focused on health tracking, this restoration is a welcome return. The reintroduction of the feature also sets the stage for future health tools Apple is reportedly working on.
According to earlier reports, the company is preparing to debut blood pressure monitoring in the upcoming Apple Watch Series 11, expected alongside the iPhone 17 next month. Much like sleep tracking and blood oxygen levels, the new blood pressure feature would likely serve as an alert-based tool rather than a full medical diagnostic system. Apple has not indicated whether it will pursue FDA certification for this sensor, though it has done so for ECG in the past.
The resolution of the Masimo dispute and the return of blood oxygen monitoring underscore how critical health-related features have become to Apple’s wearables strategy. While fitness tracking and notifications remain core elements, Apple’s focus continues to shift toward preventative health insights and wellness monitoring.
For now, users with affected Apple Watch models in the U.S. can restore access to blood oxygen monitoring by updating their iPhones to iOS 18.6.1 and their watches to watchOS 11.6.1. As with all updates, installing the latest software ensures compatibility and restores full functionality where available.
