AppleInsider Staff
Documentation in Apple's latest iOS 12.2 release hints at potential European availability of the ECG app for Apple Watch Series 4 users, enabling a major hardware feature that for many has been sitting latent for six months.
A document covering ECG "Instructions for Use," buried deep within the Health app in today's iOS 12.2 release, sheds light on Apple's potential plans.
In the text, found by navigating to Health > Health Data > Heart > Electrocardiogram (ECG) > About > Instructions for Use, a section on app set-up and on-boarding notes "[t]he ECG app is available on Apple Watch Series 4 with watchOS 5.2, paired with iPhone 5s or later with iOS 12.2 or later" in non-U.S. regions, suggesting the function will soon be made available to countries outside America. In the U.S., "The ECG app is available on Apple Watch Series 4 with watchOS 5.1.2 or later, paired with iPhone 5s or later with iOS 12.1.1 or later," the document reads.
The addition is thought to be a recent change, as Apple is currently in the process of beta testing watchOS 5.2.
The document also includes a new CE marking to indicate compliance with European Economic Area (EEA) regulations. The EEA extends European Union consumer market rules to Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, suggesting those regions might soon see ECG support.
Apple unveiled the ECG app alongside Apple Watch Series 4 last September, touting clearance it received for the feature from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
It took the company three months to roll out ECG to Apple Watch owners in the U.S. Following its release, users have credited the ECG function as a life-saving technology, lauding its ability to detect signs of atrial fibrillation.
Malcolm Owen
Christine McKee
Andrew Orr
William Gallagher
24 Comments
Nice. This would make me switch my Series 2 for Series 4. Or a Series 5 later this year? :smile:
I hope so! This will make me get the 4 instead if the 3. It’s a strange world where they prevent us from using something just because it hasn’t been approved by the authorities. I remember when a simple disclaimer was enough.
Apple will have to remame it to be able to get EU approval.
I bought the Apple Watch 4 several months ago, only to find out that Apple is holding back on the (promised) ECG functionality, in particular in Europe.
Isn't there a way around regulations to offer this app when announced?
E.g., by including a notice that, pending approval by local health authorities, the ECG results are only informative and/or educational.
I am sick and tired of seeing that features announced by Apple remain unavailable for months, even years.
Such delays abount to too large a fraction of the useful life of the Apple devices that its faithful early adopters buy (and are a major component of Apple's income).