Apple is playing a clever game of “feature musical chairs” with its Apple Watch — and this time, the Blood Oxygen tool is back… with a twist.
On Thursday, Apple announced a redesigned version of its Blood Oxygen feature for certain models — specifically, the Watch Series 8, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra sold in the U.S. after early 2024. Why only these? Because this is Apple’s workaround to dodge the International Trade Commission’s (ITC) import ban that’s been hanging over its head like a storm cloud.
Here’s the catch: the watch itself won’t crunch your blood oxygen numbers anymore. Instead, your Apple Watch will capture the data, but the actual calculations will happen on your paired iPhone. You’ll then view your results in the Health app’s Respiratory section — not on your wrist. It’s like the feature went on a vacation and set up its office in your phone instead of your watch.
This move was greenlit thanks to a recent U.S. Customs ruling, which now allows Apple to import these “compliant” watches again. If you bought your watch before the ban or outside the U.S., none of this affects you — your device still works the same as before.
For those who got a post-ban model, the revamped feature will arrive via a software update for both your iPhone and Apple Watch.
The backstory? Apple’s been in a high-stakes legal brawl with medical tech company Masimo, which claims Apple swiped its pulse oximetry tech after early partnership talks. Masimo actually scored a win in 2023, convincing the ITC to block imports of Apple Watches with the original Blood Oxygen feature. Apple had to pull it, then hit back with lawsuits of its own, accusing Masimo of lifting Apple Watch features for its devices.
The legal fight isn’t over — Apple has appealed the ban — but this redesign is a strategic “fine, we’ll do it differently” move to keep selling watches without missing a beat.
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