_Incident · Regulatory action_

# Apple disabled Blood Oxygen on US Apple Watch to comply with a Masimo ITC exclusion order

Canonical ID: `0e168005-0846-438c-8c29-c3217a72dce0`

- **Occurred:** 2024-01-18
- **Kind:** `regulatory_action`
- **Status (derived):** active
- **Model:** [Apple Watch](/models/apple-watch.md) (id: `7af0d52f-fb71-4b04-88e9-413ec552cb52`)

After the ITC found the Apple Watch Series 9 / Ultra 2 pulse-oximetry infringed two Masimo patents (Section 337 limited exclusion + cease-and-desist; effective Dec 26 2023), Apple shipped US units from Jan 18 2024 with the Blood Oxygen (SpO2) feature DISABLED in software to keep selling. The feature was RE-ENABLED in the US on Aug 14 2025 via a redesign that offloads SpO2 processing to the paired iPhone, after CBP cleared the change (Aug 1 2025; iOS 18.6.1 / watchOS 11.6.1). A new ITC investigation into the redesign opened Nov 14 2025; an ALJ found NO infringement (Mar 19 2026) and the ITC closed it (~Apr 17 2026); the redesigned feature remains live. Apple's load-bearing disabled-feature exemplar.

## Sources (2)

1. **STAT** · https://www.statnews.com/2023/12/26/apple-watch-itc-import-ban-masimo-pulse-oximetry/
2. **Apple** · https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/08/an-update-on-blood-oxygen-for-apple-watch-in-the-us/

## Common questions

### What happened in Apple disabled Blood Oxygen on US Apple Watch to comply with a Masimo ITC exclusion order?

After the ITC found the Apple Watch Series 9 / Ultra 2 pulse-oximetry infringed two Masimo patents (Section 337 limited exclusion + cease-and-desist; effective Dec 26 2023), Apple shipped US units from Jan 18 2024 with the Blood Oxygen (SpO2) feature DISABLED in software to keep selling. The feature was RE-ENABLED in the US on Aug 14 2025 via a redesign that offloads SpO2 processing to the paired iPhone, after CBP cleared the change (Aug 1 2025; iOS 18.6.1 / watchOS 11.6.1). A new ITC investigation into the redesign opened Nov 14 2025; an ALJ found NO infringement (Mar 19 2026) and the ITC closed it (~Apr 17 2026); the redesigned feature remains live. Apple's load-bearing disabled-feature exemplar.

### When did this incident occur?

The incident is recorded as occurring on January 18, 2024 on the DEPLOY registry. The date reflects the underlying real-world event, not the registry record's creation date.

### What robot was involved in Apple disabled Blood Oxygen on US Apple Watch to comply with a Masimo ITC exclusion order?

Apple Watch is the recorded robot involved in this incident.

### Has anyone responded to Apple disabled Blood Oxygen on US Apple Watch to comply with a Masimo ITC exclusion order?

No responses to this incident are recorded on the DEPLOY registry. Operators, manufacturers, or affected parties can submit responses to the editorial team; absence is not a guarantee no response was issued.

### What is the current status of Apple disabled Blood Oxygen on US Apple Watch to comply with a Masimo ITC exclusion order?

This incident is an active record on the DEPLOY registry; no retraction or correction has been issued.


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