Today, Apple has finally seen fit to release its latest iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1 for all compatible iPhone and Apple Watch devices. If you are wondering if today’s release is anything but major, much like past updates, you are terribly wrong. iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1 mark the return of the Blood Oxygen Monitoring in the United States, a feature that was taken away from compatible devices after a patent dispute with Masimo.
Apple’s latest iOS 18.6.1 update restores Blood Oxygen Monitoring to U.S. devices after a lengthy patent battle with Masimo
If you have a compatible iPhone and Apple Watch model, you can download and install the latest version right now through the Settings app. Since it is a final build and not a beta, you do not require a developer account and can just simply navigate to General > Software Update > and then follow the on-screen instructions to install the update on the iPhone.
On the Apple Watch, all you have to do is launch the dedicated Watch app on your iPhone and head over to General > Software Update > and then follow the instructions to install the final build. Before you do so, make sure that your Apple Watch has over 50 percent battery life and is plugged into a power source. Moreover, your Apple Watch should also be in range of your iPhone for the update to begin.
If you are not familiar, Apple disabled the Blood Oxygen Monitoring on the Apple Watch in the United States back in 2024 due to a patent issue with health tech company Masimo. However, the mechanics are a little different than before, as Apple has brought back the feature with a twist. Due to the patent dispute, the feature is still not available on the Apple Watch technically, as you will not be able to check the readings on your wearable. Instead, your Apple Watch will take the blood oxygen readings and then send the detected data to your paired iPhone. The phone will handle the processing, and you will have the option to check the readings in the Respiratory section of the Health app.
Apart from this major addition, Apple has not mentioned any other improvements or bug fixes in these updates, which means that it solely brings back the Blood Oxygen Monitoring to the Apple Watch and iPhone. We will keep you posted on the updates released to the health feature, so do stick around for more.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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