Apple announced on Thursday that it is reviving blood oxygen monitoring functionality for select Apple Watch models—including the Series 8, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra—by rolling out a redesigned version of the feature. The move comes as the tech giant navigates a long - running legal dispute and an import ban, with the updated tool engineered to comply with regulatory requirements that previously forced its removal.

A key change in the redesigned Blood Oxygen feature is how data is processed and accessed. Unlike the original version, which calculated and displayed blood oxygen levels directly on the Apple Watch, the new iteration shifts data processing to the user’s paired iPhone. After measurement, results are stored and viewed in the “Respiratory” section of Apple’s Health app on the iPhone—meaning users can no longer check blood oxygen readings directly on their watch face, a notable adjustment to the user experience.

Apple emphasized that the revival of the feature is made possible by a recent ruling from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This ruling grants the company permission to import Apple Watch units equipped with the redesigned blood oxygen technology, lifting a barrier that had been in place since early 2024. Importantly, the update does not impact Apple Watches sold before the International Trade Commission (ITC) import ban took effect, nor does it apply to devices purchased outside the United States—those models retain their original blood oxygen monitoring capabilities (where applicable).

For users who bought affected Apple Watch models after the 2024 ban, access to the redesigned feature will come via a software update for both the Apple Watch and iPhone, set to roll out on Thursday. This update will activate the new data - processing workflow and integrate the blood oxygen readings into the Health app, restoring a health - focused tool that many users relied on for tracking respiratory wellness.

The reinstatement follows a bitter legal battle between Apple and Masimo, a leading medical device manufacturer. Masimo first accused Apple of infringing its pulse oximetry patents—technology used to measure blood oxygen levels—in 2023, after initial discussions about a potential collaboration between the two companies broke down. Later that year, the ITC ruled in Masimo’s favor, issuing an import ban on Apple Watches with the original blood oxygen feature, forcing Apple to disable the tool on new devices.

In response, Apple launched a countersuit against Masimo, alleging that the medical firm had copied design and functionality features from the Apple Watch for its own line of smartwatches. The company has also appealed the ITC’s import ban, seeking to overturn the ruling long - term. Thursday’s announcement of the redesigned feature represents a short - term workaround to comply with the ban while the legal fight continues.

With the return of blood oxygen monitoring, Apple aims to rebuild trust with users who value the Apple Watch’s health - tracking capabilities. The feature joins a suite of tools—including heart rate monitoring, ECG, and sleep tracking—that have positioned the Apple Watch as a leading wearable for health and wellness. As the legal dispute with Masimo progresses, industry observers will watch to see if Apple’s appeal succeeds, or if the company will need to rely on similar workarounds to maintain its health - focused feature set.