Apple Watch just got a key health upgrade - and it’s much earlier than expected

TechSmartwatchesApple Watch just got a key health upgrade - and it’s much earlier than expectedSleep apnea detection is available right now for the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Sleep apnea detection is available right now for the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Apple)

Apple Watch Series 10 in use

(Image credit: Apple)

Quick SummaryThe sleep apnea detection feature for the Apple Watch has passed regulatory approval and is available in watchOS 11.You’ll need a Series 9, Series 10 or Ultra 2 to benefit from it.

The sleep apnea detection feature for the Apple Watch has passed regulatory approval and is available in watchOS 11.You’ll need a Series 9, Series 10 or Ultra 2 to benefit from it.

The sleep apnea detection feature for the Apple Watch has passed regulatory approval and is available in watchOS 11.

You’ll need a Series 9, Series 10 or Ultra 2 to benefit from it.

TheApple Watch Series 10was expected to launch without a key feature –sleep apnea detection. That’s because the feature required regulatory approval in some countries, particularly the US, and couldn’t be launched withoutApplegetting the regulatory go-ahead.

As a result Apple had said that the feature wouldn’t launch until later this month – but it’s available right now inWatchOS 11, which was released last night. And it’s also available for theApple Watch Series 9and theApple Watch Ultra 2.

The feature is now available because the US FDA – the organisation that regulates health devices – gave its blessing to the sleep apnea detection earlier this week.

TechCrunch reported yesterday that the FDA had just published a document detailing its approval, and Apple was clearly ready for it. However, another key feature, for blood oxygen monitoring, remains disabled in USApple Watchmodels due to an ongoing patent dispute.

Why sleep apnea detection is an important Apple Watch upgrade

The new feature, which is now available in watchOS 11 for the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 only, is an important addition to Apple’s health features and brings it up to speed with similar features fromSamsungand Withings.

Apple’s system uses the Apple Watch accelerometer to detect movements in your wrist that can indicate interruptions in your breathing, and if they recur then Apple’s machine learning will analyse them to see if apnea is a possibility. You can see the data in your Health app.

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The feature is available in most countries including the US and UK. You can see the full liston Apple’s website.

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