**Apple Brings Back Blood Oxygen Monitoring for Certain Apple Watch Models with watchOS 11.6.1**
With the latest launch of watchOS 11.6.1 and the accompanying iOS 18.6.1, Apple has reinstated blood oxygen measurements for U.S. users of the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2. This update follows the complete removal of the feature in late 2023, addressing worries among users who were reluctant to transition to newer models due to the absence of this health monitoring function.
However, the return of blood oxygen monitoring comes with a stipulation. The procedure now necessitates the iPhone to manage data processing and present results, making it a bit less user-friendly than it once was. In spite of this change, the reinstatement of the feature represents a major advancement for Apple, particularly as it gears up for the expected debut of the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 this fall.
For current owners of the Apple Watch Series 8, Ultra 1, and prior models, the new workaround mitigates some hesitation regarding an upgrade. Numerous users had reservations about potentially losing the blood oxygen functionality, which is vital to the Apple Watch’s standing as a health and fitness tracker. This workaround reflects Apple’s dedication to ensuring critical health features remain intact without sacrificing user experience, even amidst ongoing legal disputes with Masimo, a company that has raised issues regarding the blood oxygen monitoring technology.
Apple’s wearables division has encountered obstacles recently, with industry statistics revealing a 19 percent decrease in Apple Watch shipments year over year in 2024, as per Counterpoint Research. This decline follows the release of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in 2023, which received mixed feedback, and minimal significant updates in 2024, except for a new color alternative.
The blood oxygen monitoring concern has primarily impacted U.S. consumers, yet the worry about losing a feature during an upgrade has been prevalent. The timing of the workaround is strategic, occurring just a month prior to the anticipated introduction of the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3, possibly motivating users to upgrade without the anxiety of forfeiting valuable health tracking features.
In conclusion, Apple’s reestablishment of blood oxygen monitoring through watchOS 11.6.1 is a timely reaction to user concerns, emphasizing the significance of health monitoring in its wearable devices and positioning the company advantageously ahead of its forthcoming product releases.
