In a surprise Thursday announcement, Apple says that it is bringing the blood oxygen sensor feature back to the Apple Watch Series 9 and newer.
In an announcement published to its website, Apple confirmed that it is introducing a redesigned blood oxygen feature to "some" Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models on August 14.
The returning feature will be part of an iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1 update.
Apple hasn't said exactly what it has done to get around its patent dispute. It did say that the move was "enabled by a recent U.S. Customs ruling."
The blood oxygen feature uses sensors on the back of the Apple Watch to measure the amount of oxygen in the wearer's blood. Lower than expected levels can cause health issues, including dizziness.
Apple's sensor woes have been going on for a couple of years now, but things came to a head in October 2023. That's when the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) upheld a judge's ruling from January of that year, which said Apple infringed Masimo's patents.
Massimo CEO Joe Kiani had said that the company was willing to settle with Apple, but the company declined. Any settlement would have seen Apple license the blood oxygen sensor technology for future Apple Watch models.
Apple's patent spat with Masimo saw it told to remove its blood oxygen sensing feature from Apple Watches that were sold from early 2024. Apple halted sales and introduced new Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models sans the feature on January 18, 2024, as instructed.
The technology was first introduced with the Apple Watch Series 6 in 2020. It had been present in all of Apple's premium wearables up to the ban — and the hardware wasn't removed from the 2024 releases.
