• Apple reactivates blood oxygen feature for certain watch models following legal disputes.
• The feature will only display readings on the paired iPhone, not directly on the watch.
• Apple's ongoing legal battle with Masimo continues over patent infringement claims.

Apple has reintroduced the blood oxygen measurement feature for the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 via a software update, following a protracted dispute with Masimo over patent rights. This decision comes after a ruling from U.S. Customs that allowed Apple to bring back a redesigned version of the feature, which had been absent for over a year due to legal complications, according to Reuters, India Times, and Business Insider.

Despite the reinstatement of the blood oxygen monitoring capability, users are now required to view their readings on the paired iPhone rather than on the watch itself, stripping away the convenience that was previously afforded. Users can access their blood oxygen levels through the Health app under the Respiratory section. This change is a direct response to the patent issues that required Apple to modify the feature to avoid infringement, according to India Times and Business Insider.

Apple initially introduced the blood oxygen feature in 2020 but faced significant legal challenges from Masimo, which claimed that Apple had infringed on its patents related to pulse oximetry technology. This resulted in a temporary import ban on certain Apple Watch models, further complicating Apple's ability to sell its products in the U.S. market. The ongoing dispute includes allegations of trade secret theft by Masimo, which continues to pursue legal action against Apple, according to Reuters, India Times, and Business Insider.