Apple reintroduces a contested characteristic, sparking a debate in the Apple Watch lawsuit
Apple's Blood Oxygen Feature Returns to U.S. Market After Legal Battle
After a lengthy patent dispute with digital health company Masimo, Apple has regained the ability to sell its smartwatches with the blood oxygen detection feature in the United States. The latest development in this legal battle involves Masimo suing the U.S. government over the decision to allow the feature to return to the market as of August 2025.
The blood oxygen monitoring feature on the Apple Watch Series 6 was introduced in 2020, during the early stretch of the pandemic. This feature helps users understand their respiratory health by shining light through the skin, similar to clinical finger-clip devices known as pulse oximeters.
The International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled in December 2023 that Apple’s blood oxygen sensors infringed on Masimo’s patents, leading to a ban on the feature in the U.S. market. As a result, the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 models, which include the blood oxygen detection feature, were affected, with the feature temporarily restricted or removed in the U.S. market.
However, U.S. Customs recently allowed the blood oxygen feature to be restored on these Apple Watch models, allowing Apple to restore full health tracking capabilities in the Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 models. This decision has prompted Masimo to sue the government in August 2025 to challenge this reversal.
The ongoing lawsuit by Masimo could lead to further legal challenges and potential restrictions if the courts rule in Masimo's favor again. Apple strongly disagrees with the patent ruling and maintains that its blood oxygen sensors do not infringe on Masimo's patents.
Apple Watch owners must update their software to watchOS 11.6.1 and pair their device with an iPhone running on iOS 18.6.1 to use the updated blood oxygen feature. The upcoming software update on Thursday will bring a redesigned blood oxygen feature to U.S. Apple Watch users who currently lack access to it.
It's worth noting that the patent ruling applied only to new Apple Watches in the United States, sparing those who already owned an Apple Watch with the feature. Apple Watch owners outside the United States were not affected by the patent ruling that temporarily removed smartwatches from U.S. store shelves.
Meanwhile, Apple's main competitor in the consumer electronics space, Samsung, is increasingly investing resources into digital health, with its smartwatches aiming to help users stay healthy as they age. Google is anticipated to release a new version of its Pixel Watch next week, potentially positioning them as competitors to Apple in this growing field.
Timeline of Key Events:
- December 2023: ITC ruled Apple’s blood oxygen detection sensors infringed Masimo patents.
- 2024-2025: Blood oxygen tracking was removed or restricted on Apple Watches sold in the U.S. due to the ruling.
- August 2025: U.S. Customs allowed the blood oxygen feature to be restored on Apple Watches, prompting Masimo to sue the government in August 2025 to challenge this reversal.
[1] Masimo Sues U.S. Government Over Decision to Allow Apple Watch's Blood Oxygen Tracking Feature to Return to U.S. Market
[2] Apple's Blood Oxygen Sensors Infringe on Masimo Patents, ITC Rules
[1] The legal battle between Apple and digital health company Masimo continues, with Masimo suing the U.S. government over the decision to allow the blood oxygen tracking feature on Apple Watches to return to the market as of August 2025.
[2] In the tech-centric business world, the ongoing patent dispute is a significant point of contention, with Apple disputing the claim that their blood oxygen sensors infringe on Masimo's patents.
[3] As science and health-and-wellness technologies evolve, various companies are investing in innovative therapies-and-treatments and nutrition-related tech, such as smart-home devices and gadgets.
[4] The resolution of this legal battle could have wider implications for the technology industry, potentially influencing the development and marketing strategies of big tech players like Apple and Samsung in the health-focused digital sector.
