Apple did appeal the U.S. ban affecting its Apple Watch blood-oxygen technology, but it lost that appeal. On March 19, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the International Trade Commission’s ruling against Apple in its patent dispute with Masimo.
That does not mean Blood Oxygen is unavailable on every Apple Watch in the United States. Apple later introduced a redesigned implementation for eligible U.S. models. The Watch collects the sensor data, while the paired iPhone performs the calculation and displays results in the Health app.
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The short version
- Apple appealed an ITC exclusion order involving Apple Watch blood-oxygen technology.
- The Federal Circuit affirmed the original ITC ruling on March 19, 2026.
- Apple did not win by overturning the ban or invalidating Masimo’s patents.
- Apple instead disabled the original feature on affected U.S. watches and later introduced a redesigned, iPhone-processed version.
- Apple named the U.S. Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 as eligible for the redesigned feature, provided the required software and configuration conditions are met.
The practical answer for buyers and owners is therefore more nuanced than “Blood Oxygen is banned” or “Apple won.” Apple lost the original appeal, but its redesigned implementation changed the feature’s availability for eligible U.S. watches.
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What Apple appealed
The dispute began with a complaint filed at the ITC by Masimo and Cercacor Laboratories in June 2021. Masimo, a California medical-technology company known for pulse-oximetry technology, alleged that Apple Watch blood-oxygen functionality infringed several patents.
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The ITC later found that Apple had violated Section 337 of the Tariff Act by importing, selling, and offering for sale Apple Watches that incorporated the infringing technology. It issued a limited exclusion order targeting affected imported watches.
An ITC exclusion order is an import restriction. It is not a general order declaring that every Apple Watch feature is illegal, nor does it automatically prohibit every Apple Watch model worldwide. Its practical effect in this case was to restrict the U.S. importation of watches containing the disputed blood-oxygen implementation.
Apple challenged the ITC’s decision at the Federal Circuit. The original products at issue included Apple Watch models launched with blood-oxygen estimation capability, beginning with the Apple Watch Series 6 in 2020.
Read the Federal Circuit’s March 19, 2026 opinion.
What the Federal Circuit decided
The Federal Circuit affirmed the ITC’s decision. The court said it found no error in the Commission’s domestic-industry determination, validity rulings, or infringement findings.
In plain English, Apple did not persuade the appeals court to overturn the original finding that the affected Apple Watch products infringed Masimo’s asserted patents. The ruling also did not invalidate those patents or order Apple to restore the original Blood Oxygen feature.
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- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
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That distinction matters because some descriptions of the dispute may suggest that the ban was “overturned.” It was not. The original ITC ruling survived the appeal.
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- September 2020: Apple introduces Apple Watch Series 6 with a Blood Oxygen feature.
- June 2021: Masimo and Cercacor file an ITC complaint alleging patent infringement.
- 2023: The ITC finds that Apple violated Section 337 and issues an exclusion order.
- December 2023: Apple pauses U.S. sales of affected watches before the import restriction takes effect.
- January 2024: Apple resumes U.S. sales of certain affected models with Blood Oxygen disabled.
- December 27, 2023: The Federal Circuit grants a temporary stay while Apple’s appeal proceeds.
- August 14, 2025: Apple announces a redesigned U.S. Blood Oxygen feature that requires iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1.
- March 19, 2026: The Federal Circuit affirms the original ITC decision against Apple.
- March–April 2026: The redesigned implementation is considered in a separate ITC proceeding. Reporting says the ITC closes that matter after finding that the redesigned products did not infringe the asserted patents.
The original appeal and the redesigned product are separate legal tracks. The Federal Circuit ruling resolved Apple’s challenge to the original ITC determination; it did not turn that determination into a clearance of every later Apple Watch implementation.
How Apple brought Blood Oxygen back
Apple’s workaround changes where the measurement is processed. In the redesigned U.S. implementation:
- The Apple Watch sensor collects the relevant data.
- The paired iPhone performs the measurement and calculation.
- Results appear in the Respiratory section of the iPhone Health app.
This is not identical to the original user experience. Owners should not necessarily expect to view the result directly through the Watch’s original Blood Oxygen interface. The Watch remains involved in collecting sensor data, but the paired iPhone handles the calculation.
Apple said the redesigned feature was enabled after a U.S. Customs ruling. It separately addressed the ITC’s original exclusion order rather than reversing the Federal Circuit’s later decision.
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Which Apple Watches have Blood Oxygen in the U.S.?
Apple specifically identified the following models for the redesigned U.S. feature:
| Model | U.S. status | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Series 9 | Eligible for the redesigned feature | Eligibility depends on the U.S. configuration, purchase history, pairing, and software. |
| Apple Watch Series 10 | Eligible for the redesigned feature | Results use the paired iPhone rather than the original on-Watch experience. |
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 | Eligible for the redesigned feature | The exact unit and software state still matter. |
Apple’s later product announcements also reference Blood Oxygen among Apple Watch health features, but buyers should check the exact model, region, and U.S. configuration on the relevant product page before purchasing. Do not assume that every current Apple Watch includes the feature.
The same model name can have different feature availability depending on where the watch was sold. A U.S. Series 9, for example, may not provide the same Blood Oxygen experience as an international unit.
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What existing owners should expect
Apple stated that previously purchased U.S. Apple Watch units that already included the original Blood Oxygen feature were unaffected. Watches purchased outside the United States were also unaffected.
A U.S. watch purchased during the disabled-feature period should not be expected to regain the original on-Watch experience. If it is an eligible Series 9, Series 10, or Ultra 2 unit, it may instead qualify for the redesigned iPhone-based feature.
For a used or refurbished watch, the model name alone is not enough. Ask the seller for:
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- A GREAT FITNESS TRACKER—SE 3 can track your workouts in a healthy number of ways—from running and strength training to simply achieving your 10K steps a day. With real-time metrics and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone,* you’ll hit your goals like never before.
- KEEP HELP CLOSE AT HAND—SE 3 is a smartwatch that can detect a hard fall or severe car crash and automatically help connect you to emergency services and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- WOMEN’S HEALTH INSIGHTS—SE 3 has advanced sensors that track your wrist temperature while you sleep. With this smartwatch, you can log your periods and symptoms, get period predictions, and get notified of cycle deviations.*
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- The exact Apple Watch model.
- The country or region where it was originally sold.
- Whether Blood Oxygen was ever enabled on that unit.
- The current watchOS version.
- Whether the watch can pair with an iPhone that meets the software requirement.
How eligible U.S. owners can access the redesigned feature
- Update the paired iPhone to iOS 18.6.1.
- Update the Apple Watch to watchOS 11.6.1.
- Keep the Watch paired with the iPhone.
- Open the Health app on the iPhone.
- Look in the Respiratory section for the results.
Apple released iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1 on August 14, 2025. The expected result for the redesigned U.S. implementation is an iPhone Health app entry, not necessarily a result displayed directly on the Watch.
See Apple’s software-release information.
If Blood Oxygen does not appear
Check these points before assuming the feature is unavailable:
- The watch is a Series 9, Series 10, or Ultra 2 model named by Apple as eligible.
- The watch and iPhone are paired.
- Both devices meet the required software versions.
- The watch was sold for the U.S. market, if you are using the U.S. redesigned implementation.
- The unit does not have an unusual regional or purchase-history limitation.
- The Health app has permission to access the relevant health data.
- You are looking in the iPhone Health app’s Respiratory section rather than expecting the original on-Watch interface.
An update will not restore Blood Oxygen to every U.S. Apple Watch. Apple’s announcement names specific models and eligibility conditions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What this means when buying an Apple Watch
If Blood Oxygen is important, buy from Apple or an authorized seller and confirm the exact regional configuration. Avoid importing a watch solely to obtain the feature: warranty coverage, cellular compatibility, regional software behavior, and support can differ.
Owners of eligible Series 9, Series 10, or Ultra 2 watches should update their devices before replacing them. A newer model may offer other advantages, but Blood Oxygen alone is not necessarily a reason to upgrade if the existing watch qualifies for Apple’s redesigned feature.
Buyers should also understand the experience they are purchasing. The redesigned U.S. feature requires a paired iPhone for calculation and displays results in the iPhone Health app. Someone who specifically needs an oxygen reading processed or viewed on the wrist may find that this is not equivalent to the original implementation.
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- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
The Apple Watch Ultra models are also not automatically the best choice for Blood Oxygen. The feature is available on less expensive models, while the Ultra’s larger case and rugged positioning are aimed at buyers who also want those hardware characteristics.
See Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Ultra 3.
Is Apple Watch Blood Oxygen a medical diagnostic?
Blood Oxygen should be treated as a wellness and health-monitoring feature, not automatically as a replacement for a clinical pulse oximeter or professional medical assessment.
Readings can be affected by factors including fit, movement, skin contact, circulation, temperature, and other conditions. Anyone with a health concern should rely on appropriate medical advice and validated clinical equipment rather than treating a consumer wearable reading as a diagnosis.
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The Federal Circuit’s March 19, 2026 decision ends Apple’s appeal of the original ITC ruling. It does not erase the patent dispute or guarantee that every future implementation will face no legal challenge.
The redesigned feature was handled separately. Reporting indicates that the ITC closed the later proceeding after finding that Apple’s redesigned products did not infringe the asserted patents. That development should not be described as the Federal Circuit overturning the original ban or as a permanent clearance of every Apple Watch product.
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