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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteYes—Apple restored Blood Oxygen access in the US in August 2025 for some Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 units that did not already have the feature. The key difference is that eligible watches collect the sensor data, but the paired iPhone analyzes it; you view results in the Health app’s Respiratory section, not on the watch.
The change does not apply to every US Apple Watch. Apple says watches that already had the original Blood Oxygen feature, and watches purchased outside the US, were unaffected. Eligibility depends on the model, when and where it was purchased, and—on certain US units—the part-number suffix.
What changed in the US
Apple announced the redesigned US experience on August 14, 2025. At launch, Apple said it required iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1. In this workflow, the watch records the sensor data and the paired iPhone performs the analysis. The result appears in the Health app under Respiratory.
This is not the background-only, no-results experience described in some reports. Eligible users can take an on-demand reading and see its result after iPhone analysis. Apple’s current Support guidance says the relevant US units need the latest compatible iOS and watchOS.
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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.
Which Apple Watches have Blood Oxygen in the US?
Apple Support says the Blood Oxygen app is supported on Apple Watch Series 6 or later and all Apple Watch Ultra models, subject to regional availability. Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch For Your Kids do not support the app.
For the redesigned US workflow, Apple’s current guidance identifies certain US purchases made on or after January 18, 2024, with part numbers ending in LW/A or LS/A. Apple said units previously purchased with the original feature were unaffected. Check Apple’s current support guidance for your exact watch rather than relying on the model name or purchase location alone.
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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.
| Watch or purchase situation | What Apple’s guidance says |
|---|---|
| Some US Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 units that lacked the original feature | Eligible units use paired-iPhone analysis; results appear in Health’s Respiratory section. |
| US unit that already had the original Blood Oxygen feature | Apple said the 2025 update did not affect these units. |
| Watch purchased outside the US | Apple said these units were unaffected by the US change; availability is subject to regional support. |
| US purchase on or after January 18, 2024, with part number ending LW/A or LS/A | Apple Support identifies this group as using iPhone analysis. Confirm software and model eligibility in Apple Support. |
| Series 12 or Ultra 4 US configuration | The cited September 2026 Apple announcements do not resolve the Blood Oxygen configuration. Do not assume eligibility without checking current model-specific guidance. |
How to take a reading and find the result
- Update the watch and paired iPhone to the latest compatible versions of watchOS and iOS.
- Wear the watch snugly but comfortably.
- Open the Blood Oxygen app on the watch.
- Rest your wrist flat, keep it still, and hold your arm steady for the 15-second measurement.
- For a US unit that uses iPhone analysis, open the Health app on the paired iPhone and look in Respiratory for the result.
Apple says a measurement takes 15 seconds. If you cannot access the app or result, check the model, region, purchase date, part number, and software requirements in Apple Support.
Why do I need my iPhone to see my Apple Watch blood oxygen reading?
For the specified US units, the watch gathers the sensor data and the paired iPhone analyzes it. That is the key difference from the original experience: the analysis and result are handled through the iPhone, and the result is viewed in Health’s Respiratory section.
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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.
What the reading is—and is not—for
Apple describes Blood Oxygen measurements as intended for general fitness and wellness purposes, not medical use. Do not use a watch reading to diagnose a condition or replace advice from a healthcare professional.
Apple Support says most people have blood oxygen levels of 95–100%, while noting that some people live normally below 95% and that slightly lower values are expected during sleep. This general context is not an individual diagnostic threshold.
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- GET SMARTER HEALTH INSIGHTS—Apple Watch SE 3 is an advanced health tracker that helps you better understand your body. The smartwatch sends alerts for an irregular heart rhythm, or an unusually high or low heart rate.* You can view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app,* track your sleep score, and get sleep apnea notifications.*
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- 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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What about Series 12 and Ultra 4?
Apple announced Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 in September 2026. The cited announcements do not state whether their US configurations use the redesigned Blood Oxygen workflow, and Apple’s general support guidance does not expressly resolve that generation-specific question. Check current model-specific Apple guidance before buying based on this feature.
Apple announced US availability for Series 12 beginning September 18, 2026, with a starting price of $399. That price does not establish whether a particular US configuration supports Blood Oxygen.
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![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Space Gray Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41yzp82pFOL._SL160_.jpg)
- 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.
FAQ
Is blood oxygen back on Apple Watch in the US?
Yes, for some eligible units. Apple announced the return in August 2025 for certain Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 watches that lacked the original feature. It did not change every US Apple Watch.
Which Apple Watch models have Blood Oxygen in the US?
Apple Support lists Series 6 or later and all Apple Watch Ultra models as supporting the app, subject to regional availability. The redesigned US workflow applies to specified eligible units; check the purchase date, part number, and Apple’s current model guidance. SE and Apple Watch For Your Kids do not support the app.
Where do I find the Blood Oxygen result in the Health app?
On a US watch that uses iPhone analysis, look in the Health app’s Respiratory section on the paired iPhone. The watch collects the data, and the iPhone analyzes it.
Do I need to buy a new watch to get the feature back?
Not necessarily. Apple says some eligible existing Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 units can use the restored workflow after updating. Check your watch’s eligibility and software requirements in Apple Support before considering a purchase.
Can I use Apple Watch Blood Oxygen readings for medical decisions?
No. Apple says the measurements are for general fitness and wellness, not medical use. Consult a healthcare professional about medical concerns.
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