Australia approves Apple Watch ECG function

Australian health regulators have officially approved the use of the ECG function in Apple Watch, meaning users in the region may soon see the feature enabled.

Following the recent approval of the Apple Watch's irregular rhythm notification, local authorities have now listed the ECG feature on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).

"The ECG app is a software-only mobile medical application that is intended to be used with the Apple Watch to create, record, store, transfer and display a single-channel electrocardiagram (ECG) similar to a Lead I ECG," says the ARTG documentation, as first spotted by The 8-Bit.

"The ECG app determines the presence of atrial fibrillation (AF) or sinus rhythm on a classifiable waveform," it continues, before listing multiple limitations and conditions regarding the use of the feature.

"The ECG app is not recommended for users with other known arrythmias," it says. "The ECG app is intended for over-the-counter (OTC) use. The ECG data displayed by the ECG app is intended for informational use only. The user is not intended to interpret or take clinical action based on the device output without consultation with a qualified health professional."

It's over two years since Apple introduced the ECG into the Apple Watch, with US health approval. The feature has recently been updated, and health authorities around the world have been steadily adding their approval.

The ECG function requires an Apple Watch Series 4 or later, but the irregular rhythm notification works with any Watch running watchOS 5.1.2 or later.