How to Track Your Blood Oxygen Levels on Apple Watch?

Does the Apple Watch 5 Include a Pulse Oximeter?

Yes, the Apple Watch Series 5 has a built-in pulse oximeter, which is used to measure your blood oxygen level. The Blood Oxygen app uses your Apple Watch’s infrared LED and photodiodes to collect light reflected from the blood vessels in your wrist, then uses an algorithm to calculate your blood oxygen level.

Source: pcmag.com

Unavailability of Blood Oxygen App on Apple Watch

The Blood Oxygen app is not available to all users of Apple Watch Series 6 or later. The app is not available to users under 18 years old. This is because the Blood Oxygen app uses optical sensors and infrared light to measure the amount of oxygen being carried in your blood. As this technology has not been extensively tested on children, it has been determined that the app should not be used by those under 18 years old.

Does the Apple Watch Series 4 Have an Oxygen Sensor?

No, the Apple Watch Series 4 does not have an oxygen sensor. The optical heart sensors in the Series 4 model can measure heart rate but not blood oxygen level. This feature was introduced with the Apple Watch Series 6 and Series 7 models and is possibly available on newer models as well.

Adding Blood Oxygen to an Apple Watch

To add the Blood Oxygen app to your Apple Watch, open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap on the My Watch tab. Scroll down until you see the Blood Oxygen app and tap it to open. On the next page, you’ll see an “Add” button. Tap this button to add the Blood Oxygen app to your watch. Once it’s added, you can use it to take readings of your blood oxygen levels directly from your wrist.

Which Apple Watch Model Has an Oximeter?

The Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch Series 7 both feature a built-in pulse oximeter. This oximeter is a medical device that non-invasively measures the percentage of oxygen being carried by red blood cells from the lungs to the rest of your body. By measuring your blood oxygen level, you can quickly get an indication of your overall health. This device is available on both the Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch Series 7, meaning you can have access to this vital health information no matter which version of the watch you choose.

Source: city-journal.org

Accuracy of Oximeter vs Apple Watch

The accuracy of oximeters and Apple Watches can vary significantly depending on the individual device and the conditions under which they are used. Generally speaking, oximeters are more accurate than Apple Watches for measuring blood oxygen saturation (SpO2). A study published in 2020 found that the Apple Watch Series 6 was able to reliably detect states of reduced SpO2 by 90%, but it was still slightly less accurate than a medical-grade pulse oximeter. Furthermore, certain factors such as movement and ambient light can interfere with the accuracy of both devices. Therefore, it is best to consult with a medical professional before relying entirely on either device for monitoring blood oxygen levels.