Apple Users

hlthe2b

(106,778 posts) Wed Jan 24, 2024, 10:14 AM Jan 2024

Apple Watch 8, 9, and Ultra owners Turn off auto updates if you want to keep your O2 sensor functionality

X-posted in the Lounge as was not sure where others affected might see it.

My software downloaded but fortunately did not install overnight (12/23/24) because I wear it to track sleep (so I was able to go to the app on my iPhone and toggle off auto-updates).

Best do it quickly. I had been watching for notice but missed some of the tech sites' announcements that the feature-deleting update was now active.

I live at altitude (and likewise work in healthcare around lots of COVID-19 and other nasty respiratory infections) so this is a feature that I want to maintain-- a lot more convenient than pulling out my fingertip pulse-ox unit, which, of course, I have now misplaced.

Who knows when/if Apple will settle this or develop alternative programming that does not rely on similar software of the company that sued them and return the feature? So get on it if you want to keep the feature activated.

I did not know the best place to post this so if Apple Watch owners can keep it kicked for others, I suspect there may be some that would appreciate it.

11 replies

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**Apple Watch 8, 9, and Ultra owners** Turn off auto updates if you want to keep your O2 sensor functionality (Original Post) hlthe2b Jan 2024 OP

Here is what is also happening JohnSJ Jan 2024 #1

The impact on Apple Watches purchased well before this lawsuit is contradictory if you hlthe2b Jan 2024 #2

Understood, no guarantees for sure. Eventually if people want the latest security updates JohnSJ Jan 2024 #3

Yes. I have a fingertip pulse oximeter (if I can still find it)... but Apple Watch monitors hlthe2b Jan 2024 #4

+++ JohnSJ Jan 2024 #5

what about other watches that have the 02 sensing ablility and what about consumer grade pulse 02 meters ? AllaN01Bear May 2024 #9

My ultra is fully updated and still has working O2 Jerry2144 Jan 2024 #6

good subhash11 Mar 2024 #7

Let me update. If you have a Apple Watch 8, update without worry (I have). If you have hlthe2b Mar 2024 #8

i have afib/tacy/ others . i keep my pulse ox handy and when i travel i have it in my fanny pack at all times . AllaN01Bear May 2024 #10

yep i have missplaced my meter as well for short periods. AllaN01Bear May 2024 #11

JohnSJ

(96,812 posts)

1. Here is what is also happening

Reply to hlthe2b (Original post)

Wed Jan 24, 2024, 10:24 AM

Jan 2024

https://www.macworld.com/article/2202755/kill-apple-watch-blood-oxygen-tool.html

https://www.cultofmac.com/844033/watchos-10-3-update-does-not-delete-apple-watch-blood-oxygen-app/

hlthe2b

(106,778 posts)

2. The impact on Apple Watches purchased well before this lawsuit is contradictory if you

Reply to JohnSJ (Reply #1)

Wed Jan 24, 2024, 10:34 AM

Jan 2024

search other articles--with some source articles saying the update removes the functionality on all older watches (and thus the APP on your iPhone will give a message stating the function is no longer available, but still showing the icon on the watch) and some stating that somehow the software will differentiate (does not seem likely to me) and not disable older watches but only those that are set up and updated since the settlement.

I am watching this (again contradictory) discussion on the Apple Community Discussion thread to see if anyone will post AFTER having allowed this very recent update to install. Until then, I'm disabling updates to be certain.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255426644?login=true&sortBy=best&answerId=260100868022

ON EDIT: I see your second posted link and this is reassuring but I'm going to wait for more validation. But as the second article points out, they can't attest for future updates so turning off auto-update and only manually installing when there is evidence of no issues seems to be the wiser course. I NEED this feature.

JohnSJ

(96,812 posts)

3. Understood, no guarantees for sure. Eventually if people want the latest security updates

Reply to hlthe2b (Reply #2)

Wed Jan 24, 2024, 10:51 AM

Jan 2024

or bugs, they will need to decide whether to update or not.

That being said, pulse oximeters are relatively inexpensive, and more accurate in my view if one has lost that watches' feature.

hlthe2b

(106,778 posts)

4. Yes. I have a fingertip pulse oximeter (if I can still find it)... but Apple Watch monitors

Reply to JohnSJ (Reply #3)

Wed Jan 24, 2024, 10:55 AM

Jan 2024

oxygen during sleep. Even with the expected range of error, that is some invaluable data for those concerned about sleep quality, any degree of undiagnosed apnea, or other related issues.

JohnSJ

(96,812 posts)

5. +++

Reply to hlthe2b (Reply #4)

Wed Jan 24, 2024, 11:44 AM

Jan 2024

AllaN01Bear

(23,332 posts)

9. what about other watches that have the 02 sensing ablility and what about consumer grade pulse 02 meters ?

Reply to JohnSJ (Reply #1)

Fri May 17, 2024, 10:30 AM

May 2024

Jerry2144

(2,633 posts)

6. My ultra is fully updated and still has working O2

Reply to hlthe2b (Original post)

Wed Jan 24, 2024, 12:20 PM

Jan 2024

Is only new ones getting sold that will lose the feature. Apple has a special model number for the US ones this applies to. If your watch is that special model number, then software will disable O2. Of you don’t have that model number then it will still be enabled. It’s not very accurate. But it is consistent

subhash11

(2 posts)

7. good

Reply to hlthe2b (Original post)

Sat Mar 16, 2024, 12:58 AM

Mar 2024

good ,very important

hlthe2b

(106,778 posts)

8. Let me update. If you have a Apple Watch 8, update without worry (I have). If you have

Reply to subhash11 (Reply #7)

Sat Mar 16, 2024, 05:00 AM

Mar 2024

a series 9 or Ultra, only do so if purchased before the announcement date. Others will lose the function (or if new, be shipped without the function).

See this discussion on the Apple forum:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255426644?answerId=260258789022&sortBy=best#260258789022

AllaN01Bear

(23,332 posts)

10. i have afib/tacy/ others . i keep my pulse ox handy and when i travel i have it in my fanny pack at all times .

Reply to hlthe2b (Original post)

Fri May 17, 2024, 10:34 AM

May 2024

AllaN01Bear

(23,332 posts)

11. yep i have missplaced my meter as well for short periods.

Reply to AllaN01Bear (Reply #10)

Fri May 17, 2024, 10:37 AM

May 2024

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