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Yes—Apple’s Blood Oxygen monitoring returned to affected U.S. Apple Watch units on August 14, 2025. Apple restored it through iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1, but the U.S. version is not exactly the same as the original feature: the watch collects the sensor data, while the paired iPhone calculates and stores the result in the Health app’s Respiratory section.
Apple’s U.S. store currently lists Blood Oxygen on the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3. The feature is not listed among the highlighted capabilities of the Apple Watch SE 3.
Which Apple Watches have Blood Oxygen now?
| Model | Status | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Series 11 | Listed by Apple with the Blood Oxygen app | U.S. buyers should expect an iPhone-dependent workflow unless Apple specifies otherwise for their configuration. |
| Apple Watch Ultra 3 | Listed by Apple with the Blood Oxygen app | Confirm the exact U.S. result-display behavior before buying if on-watch readings are essential. |
| Apple Watch Series 10 | Restored on affected U.S. units | Requires the 2025 software update path if the feature was disabled when sold. |
| Apple Watch Series 9 | Restored on affected U.S. units | Region, purchase date and original feature state matter. |
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 | Restored on affected U.S. units | Pre-disabling units may have the original on-watch experience. |
| Apple Watch SE 3 | Not listed by Apple with Blood Oxygen | Do not choose it specifically for oxygen monitoring. |
Apple’s current U.S. shopping pages list the Blood Oxygen app for Series 11 and Ultra 3. That store label confirms feature availability, but it does not by itself prove that every U.S. model displays the final reading directly on the watch.
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Apple introduced Blood Oxygen on Apple Watch Series 6 and later models, excluding the first-generation Apple Watch SE. A patent dispute with Masimo led to an International Trade Commission exclusion order affecting Apple Watches that used the disputed technology.
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![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/416RQ0rtsUL._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.
As a result, Apple disabled Blood Oxygen on new affected U.S. watches rather than removing the underlying sensor hardware. The restriction began affecting U.S. sales of the Series 9 and Ultra 2 in late 2023 and continued around the Series 10 launch. Apple said existing U.S. watches that had originally been sold with the feature were not changed by the later workaround.
Apple’s 2025 announcement linked the restoration to a U.S. Customs ruling. That should not be read as proof that every aspect of the wider patent dispute has permanently ended.
Apple’s announcement about the U.S. restoration explains the change.
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The important change is where the calculation happens:
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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’s optical sensor gathers blood-oxygen-related measurements.
- The paired iPhone performs the final calculation.
- The result is saved in Apple Health.
- You view the result in the Health app’s Respiratory section.
The original experience allowed readings to be accessed through the Blood Oxygen app on the watch itself. Apple’s official description of the redesigned U.S. implementation directs users to the paired iPhone and Health app instead. Therefore, “Blood Oxygen is back” does not necessarily mean the feature has returned to its original standalone wrist-based behavior.
How to restore or check Blood Oxygen on an affected watch
If you own a U.S. Series 9, Series 10 or Ultra 2 that was sold without Blood Oxygen, use this practical setup path:
- On the paired iPhone, open Settings → General → Software Update and install the available update.
- Open the iPhone’s Watch app, then choose General → Software Update and update the watch.
- Keep the iPhone and Apple Watch paired and nearby while the process completes.
- Open the Health app and check the Respiratory section for Blood Oxygen results.
The restoration announced in 2025 required iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1. Those were the relevant versions for the original workaround—not a statement that newly purchased watches in 2026 should be downgraded or configured with those old releases.
If the feature is still unavailable
- Confirm that the watch is a Series 9, Series 10 or Ultra 2.
- Check whether it is a U.S. unit affected by the original disabling.
- Make sure both the iPhone and watch are updated.
- Confirm that the watch is paired with a compatible iPhone.
- Check whether the watch was an older unit that already had Blood Oxygen; its behavior may differ.
- Consider region, pairing, Family Setup and beta-software limitations.
A missing app does not automatically mean the sensor has failed. It may indicate an unsupported model, regional restriction, incomplete update or pairing problem.
Rank #3
![Apple Watch SE 3 [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch with Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Band - S/M. Fitness and Sleep Trackers, Heart Rate Monitor, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31YiTby0pOL._SL160_.jpg)
- 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.*
- 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.*
- GREAT BATTERY LIFE AND FASTER CHARGING—Enjoy a smartwatch with all-day, 18-hour battery life* from sunup to sundown. Then charge up to twice as fast as SE 2* and get up to 8 hours of battery in just 15 minutes.*
What current buyers need to know
Apple Watch Series 11
The Series 11 is the most straightforward current choice if Blood Oxygen is important but you do not need Ultra-level hardware. Apple’s U.S. store listed it from $399 when observed on August 18, 2026. It also advertises health features such as ECG, irregular-rhythm notifications, sleep tracking, sleep apnea notifications, Vitals and hypertension notifications, subject to regional and regulatory availability.
Apple Watch Ultra 3
The Ultra 3 also lists Blood Oxygen and starts at $799 on Apple’s detailed U.S. product page, based on the same August 18, 2026 observation. Its premium is better justified by features such as the larger titanium design, rugged construction, longer advertised battery life, cellular connectivity and satellite capabilities—not by Blood Oxygen alone, since Series 11 lists the feature too.
Apple Watch SE 3
The SE 3 is the lowest-cost current Apple Watch, with a U.S. starting price observed at $249. However, Apple’s current store materials do not list Blood Oxygen among its highlighted features. It should not be recommended to someone buying primarily for oxygen monitoring.
Current Series 11, Ultra 3 and SE 3 models require an iPhone 11 or later running iOS 26 or later, according to Apple’s U.S. store information. Apple Watch is compatible only with iPhone.
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![Apple Watch SE 3 [GPS 40mm] Smartwatch with Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band - S/M. Fitness and Sleep Trackers, Heart Rate Monitor, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31Gq8SToFJL._SL160_.jpg)
- 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.*
- 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.*
- GREAT BATTERY LIFE AND FASTER CHARGING—Enjoy a smartwatch with all-day, 18-hour battery life* from sunup to sundown. Then charge up to twice as fast as SE 2* and get up to 8 hours of battery in just 15 minutes.*
Apple Watch versus a fingertip pulse oximeter
| Consideration | Apple Watch | Fingertip pulse oximeter |
|---|---|---|
| Convenience | Wearable measurements can help reveal trends. | Requires deliberate spot checks. |
| Where results appear | The redesigned U.S. workflow uses the paired iPhone and Health app. | Usually displays a result on the device. |
| Best use | General wellness and Apple Health integration. | Quick spot checks when appropriate. |
| Limitations | Fit, motion, skin contact, temperature, battery, phone dependence and regional restrictions can matter. | Motion, cold fingers, poor circulation, nail products and device quality can affect readings. |
Neither device should automatically be treated as medically accurate. If a clinician recommends home oxygen checks, use a reputable device with appropriate regulatory clearance or validation for your market and follow the clinician’s instructions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What a Blood Oxygen reading does—and does not—mean
Apple describes the Blood Oxygen feature as intended for general fitness and wellness, not medical diagnosis. Readings may be affected by watch fit, movement, skin contact, tattoos, skin perfusion, temperature and other conditions. A single unusual result should not be used to diagnose hypoxemia or decide whether urgent care is necessary.
If you have concerning symptoms, seek medical attention regardless of what the watch reports. Apple’s Blood Oxygen technical document describes measurement conditions and methodology, but it does not make the Apple Watch a clinical diagnostic device.
Bottom line for owners and buyers
If you already own an affected U.S. Series 9, Series 10 or Ultra 2, update both the iPhone and watch before considering a replacement. If you are buying new, Apple currently lists Blood Oxygen on the Series 11 and Ultra 3, while the SE 3 is not listed with it. Choose Series 11 for the lower-cost route; choose Ultra 3 for its broader hardware advantages. In either case, verify that the iPhone-based U.S. workflow meets your expectations—and treat the feature as wellness tracking, not medical monitoring.
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![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black 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/41s72HIk5TL._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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Blood Oxygen work outside the United States?
Apple’s original U.S. disabling did not affect watches purchased outside the U.S. Availability and behavior can still vary by region, so check Apple’s local product page for the exact model.
Can an Apple Watch Series 9 or Ultra 2 get Blood Oxygen?
Affected U.S. Series 9, Series 10 and Ultra 2 units received Apple’s 2025 restoration through iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1. A watch purchased outside the U.S. or an older U.S. unit that already had the feature may behave differently.
Does the Apple Watch SE 3 have Blood Oxygen?
Apple’s current U.S. store materials do not list Blood Oxygen among the SE 3’s highlighted features, so it should not be purchased specifically for that capability.
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Do I need an iPhone?
Yes. Apple Watch requires an iPhone. Current Series 11, Ultra 3 and SE 3 models require an iPhone 11 or later with iOS 26 or later.
Can Apple Watch diagnose low blood oxygen?
No. Apple positions Blood Oxygen as a general fitness and wellness feature, not a medical diagnostic tool. Concerning symptoms require medical attention regardless of a wearable reading.
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