Apple has just made available to download watchOS 11.6.1 for compatible Apple Watch models.
This version of watchOS is mainly released to re-enable Blood Oxygen feature on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10 and Ultra 2 models sold in the United States.
Earlier today, Apple confirmed that blood oxygen monitoring feature has been redesigned for Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10 and Ultra 2 in the US. The new solution involves measuring sensor data from the Blood Oxygen app on the Apple Watch and sending it to a paired iPhone for calculation. The results is then be displayed in the Respiratory section of the Apple Health app.
It’s important to note that this change only affects aforementioned Apple Watch models sold in the US and those purchased internationally will remain unchanged with existing blood oxygen monitoring system.
Apple’s recent update follows a U.S. Customs ruling related to its patent dispute with Masimo over the Apple Watch’s Blood Oxygen feature. In December 2023, an import ban blocked U.S. sales of models with the feature, prompting Apple to pause sales for several days before resuming on January 18, 2024, with the Series 9 and Ultra 2 stripped of blood oxygen monitoring. The Series 10, launched in September 2024, also lacks the feature, while legal proceedings continue.
To download watchOS 11.6.1, launch Watch app on your iPhone and head over to General > Software Update section and grab the OTA update from there.
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