Apple Watch users are in for a serious upgrade.
Apple is updating the Blood Oxygen feature for select Apple Watch models, giving fitness-minded users more ways to track their health.
Announced on August 14, Series 9, Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 owners in the U.S. who don’t currently have the feature can access it by updating their iPhone to iOS 18.6.1 and their Apple Watch to watchOS 11.6.1.
The redesigned Blood Oxygen feature measures how much oxygen your blood is carrying, which can be a key indicator of overall fitness, recovery, and endurance.
After the update, sensor readings from the Apple Watch are calculated on the iPhone and displayed in the Respiratory section of the Health app, providing users with an easy way to monitor oxygen levels during workouts, sleep, or high-altitude activities.
A feature like this is a game-changer because it shows how efficiently your body is performing and recovering, highlights potential health issues before they become serious, and helps users make smarter, data-driven decisions during training and recovery.
Beyond blood oxygen tracking, Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 are packed with tools to support active lifestyles.
From irregular rhythm notifications and ECG readings to sleep tracking, fall detection, wrist temperature sensing, and apps for noise monitoring, medications, and mindfulness, these updates offer insights to help users stay on top of their health and recovery.
For anyone serious about training, recovery, or just keeping an eye on long-term wellness, the Apple Watch continues to level up as an increasingly powerful fitness tracker.
Source: By Kelsey Kryger, C.P.T. mensfitness.com