The legal dispute between Apple and Masimo over blood-oxygen technology led to a dramatic sales halt. If you’re wondering why Apple Watches banned Masimo is such a big story, it centers on a patent infringement ruling that temporarily removed certain models from the market.
This wasn’t a simple recall. It was a high-stakes clash between a tech giant and a medical technology firm. The ban affected sales directly from Apple and major retailers.
For a time, you couldn’t buy the latest Apple Watch Series 9 or Apple Watch Ultra 2. This guide breaks down the complex legal battle, the technology at its heart, and what it means for your watch.
Why Apple Watches Banned Masimo
The core answer to “why Apple Watches banned Masimo” is a finding of patent infringement by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). In October 2023, the ITC ruled that Apple violated Masimo’s patents related to light-based technology for reading blood-oxygen levels.
Masimo is not a consumer electronics company. They are a major player in hospital-grade patient monitoring. Their pulse oximetry technology is used in clinical settings worldwide.
Apple introduced its blood-oxygen sensing feature, called the Blood Oxygen app, with the Apple Watch Series 6 in 2020. Masimo claimed this feature used technology they invented and patented.
The Core Technology In Dispute
At the heart of the case is photoplethysmography (PPG). This is the method used by smartwatches to measure blood flow and heart rate using light.
Masimo’s patents cover specific improvements to PPG technology. These improvements make readings more accurate, especially during movement. This is critical for a device worn on the wrist.
Key patented concepts include:
- Using multiple light wavelengths to calculate blood oxygen (SpO2).
- Advanced algorithms to filter out “noise” from skin and motion.
- Specific sensor configurations and housing designs to improve signal quality.
Apple argued its technology was developed independently and was fundamentally different. The ITC ultimately disagreed, leading to the import and sales ban.
Timeline Of The Legal Battle
The conflict didn’t start overnight. It was the result of years of legal maneuvering.
Early Engagement And Allegations
Masimo first sued Apple in a California federal court in 2020. They alleged patent infringement and even claimed Apple poached key employees to steal trade secrets. This seperate lawsuit is still ongoing.
Parallel to the court case, Masimo filed a complaint with the ITC in 2021. The ITC handles disputes involving imported goods, making it a powerful venue for this type of case.
The ITC Ruling And Presidential Review
In October 2023, the ITC issued a Limited Exclusion Order and a Cease and Desist Order against Apple. This prohibited Apple from importing and selling Watches with the infringing blood-oxygen feature.
The ruling then went through a 60-day Presidential Review period. The U.S. Trade Representative, advising the President, could have vetoed the ban for policy reasons. They did not, allowing the ITC’s decision to stand.
This set the stage for the ban to take effect in late December 2023.
Which Apple Watch Models Were Affected?
The ban specifically targeted Apple Watches containing the blood-oxygen sensor that allegedly infringed Masimo’s patents. This included two current-generation models at the time.
The affected devices were:
- Apple Watch Series 9 (all case materials and sizes)
- Apple Watch Ultra 2
It’s important to note that older models with the Blood Oxygen app, like the Series 6, 7, and 8, were not subject to the import ban. However, they were part of the broader legal claims.
The Sales Halt And Temporary Stay
In compliance with the ITC order, Apple preemptively stopped sales of these models on its online store on December 21, 2023. Retail partners like Best Buy followed suit.
Apple quickly appealed the ruling and requested an emergency stay on the ban. On December 27, a federal appeals court granted a temporary pause, allowing sales to resume.
This created a confusing situation for consumers, with watches going on and off sale during the holiday period. The stay was extended multiple times as the legal appeal process continued.
Apple’s Technical Workaround And Current Status
Facing a potential permanent ban, Apple developed a software solution. In January 2024, they released a revised version of the affected watches.
These new models have the Blood Oxygen app completely disabled. The hardware sensor is still present, but the software to calculate and display blood-oxygen data is turned off.
Steps Apple took to comply:
- Submitted the modified watches to U.S. Customs for approval.
- Received confirmation that the software-disable design fell outside the ITC’s ban order.
- Resumed full sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 with the disabled app.
As of now, if you buy a new Apple Watch Series 9 or Ultra 2 in the United States, it will not have a functioning blood-oxygen feature. The app icon is removed, and settings related to it are gone.
Impact On Existing Watch Owners
If you already owned an Apple Watch with the Blood Oxygen app before the ban, your device was not affected. Apple did not push any updates to disable the feature on existing watches.
Your watch continues to function exactly as before. This only applied to new units imported and sold after the ITC’s ruling took effect.
Broader Implications Of The Case
The Apple vs. Masimo case is more than a corporate spat. It highlights significant tensions at the intersection of technology, healthcare, and intellectual property law.
Medical Tech Vs. Consumer Tech
Masimo represents the established medical device industry, where rigorous FDA clearance and proven clinical accuracy are paramount. Apple represents the fast-moving consumer tech world, focused on user experience and integration.
This case asks a big question: Can consumer devices use advanced medical sensing technology without licensing it from the original innovators? The ITC’s answer, for now, is no.
The Future Of Health Features In Wearables
The ruling may make tech companies more cautious. Developing new health sensors could require extensive patent research and potential licensing deals upfront.
It could also lead to more collaboration between tech and medtech firms, rather than competition. Alternatively, it might push companies to invest even more in developing entirely new, proprietary technologies to avoid such disputes.
For you, the consumer, it could mean slower rollout of new health features or features that operate differently due to patent workarounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Apple Watch Ban Still In Effect?
No, the sales ban is not currently in effect. Apple is selling modified versions of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 with the blood-oxygen feature disabled. The legal appeal of the underlying patent ruling is still ongoing in federal court.
Can I Get The Blood Oxygen Feature Back On A New Watch?
No. Watches sold after the ban took effect have the feature permanently disabled via software. A future software update cannot reactivate it, as the ban specifically covers devices capable of reading blood-oxygen levels using the patented technology.
What Is Masimo’s Claim Against Apple?
Masimo claims Apple infringed on several of its patents related to light-based blood-oxygen measurement. They also have a separate lawsuit alleging Apple hired Masimo employees to steal trade secrets and misappropriate technology.
Are Older Apple Watch Models With The App Now Illegal?
No. The ITC’s ban only applied to the importation and sale of new Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models. Ownership and use of older models, or the new models with the disabled app, are not illegal.
Will This Affect Apple Watches Sold Outside The USA?
The ITC ruling only affects the United States market. Apple Watches sold in other countries continue to have the blood-oxygen feature fully enabled, as the patent dispute is specific to U.S. patents and jurisdiction.
The story of why Apple Watches banned Masimo is a landmark case in wearable tech. It shows the growing complexity of adding advanced health monitoring to consumer devices.
While the immediate sales disruption has been resolved for now, the final legal chapter hasn’t been written. The federal court appeal and the seperate trade secrets lawsuit continue.
For now, if blood-oxygen tracking is a must-have feature for you in a new watch, you’ll need to consider an older model or a watch from a different brand. The outcome of this battle will likely shape how health technology evolves in the devices on our wrists for years to come.