Which Apple Watch Has Oxygen Sensor? A Complete Breakdown

Which Apple Watch Has Oxygen Sensor?  If you're wondering which Apple Watch has an oxygen sensor, here's your fast answer.

Apple Watch Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra, and Ultra 2 all have a blood oxygen sensor built-in.

This handy feature allows you to measure your blood oxygen levels, or SpO2, which can give you insights into your respiratory health, sleep patterns, and even your recovery during workouts.

In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know — from which Apple Watch models support this sensor to how it works, how accurate it is, and which one is right for you.

Keep reading if you're thinking about upgrading or buying an Apple Watch specifically for health tracking.

• Which Apple Watch Has Oxygen Sensor?

• What Is the Blood Oxygen Sensor on Apple Watch?

• How the Oxygen Sensor Works

• Apple Watch Models Without Blood Oxygen Sensor

• How Accurate Is the Blood Oxygen Sensor?

• Does the Blood Oxygen App Work in Every Country?

• Which Apple Watch with Oxygen Sensor Should You Choose?

• How to Use the Blood Oxygen App

• How to View and Interpret the Data

• FAQs About Apple Watch Blood Oxygen Sensor

• Final Thoughts: Should You Get an Apple Watch With SpO2?

Key Takeaways

• The blood oxygen sensor was introduced with the Apple Watch Series 6.

• Series 6, 7, 8, 9, and both Ultra models include this sensor.

• The Apple Watch SE (all generations) and older models do not have it.

• Blood oxygen tracking is useful for wellness monitoring, especially sleep, workouts, and detecting early signs of health issues.

• Not all countries allow this feature due to legal and regulatory reasons.

• The Apple Watch Ultra series offers the most advanced tracking, while Series 9 balances features and price.

Which Apple Watch Has Oxygen Sensor?

Apple first introduced the blood oxygen sensor with the Series 6 in 2020.

Since then, each major flagship release has included the same SpO2 capability. Below is a breakdown of which models have the sensor and which ones don’t.

If you’re unsure which model you own, check out this complete guide to identifying your Apple Watch.

What Is the Blood Oxygen Sensor on Apple Watch? Which Apple Watch Has Oxygen Sensor? 

The blood oxygen sensor, also known as an SpO2 monitor, measures how much oxygen is in your bloodstream.

Oxygen saturation is a crucial indicator of how well your body is absorbing and circulating oxygen — a key element in your overall health.

This feature is especially important for:

• Monitoring sleep quality

• Identifying potential breathing problems

• Tracking performance during workouts

• Recognizing early signs of illness or respiratory stress

The Apple Watch uses a combination of red, green, and infrared LEDs, along with photodiodes on the back of the watch, to calculate your SpO2 level. These readings are displayed as a percentage, with normal levels typically ranging from 95% to 100%.

If you want more details, check out Apple’s official support article on the Blood Oxygen app.

How the Oxygen Sensor Works

The sensor on the Apple Watch functions using a technology called pulse oximetry.

When you wear your watch, it shines red and infrared light into the blood vessels in your wrist.

Depending on how much light is absorbed, the watch can estimate how much oxygen is present in your blood.

You can check your levels in two ways:

• Manual Readings: Open the Blood Oxygen app and sit still while the watch scans your wrist for 15 seconds.

• Background Monitoring: The watch automatically takes periodic readings while you’re inactive or sleeping.

For the best results, ensure your watch is fitted snugly on your wrist. Want something both stylish and functional? Explore these Apple Watch bands that help improve sensor accuracy.

Apple Watch Models That Don’t Have the Sensor

It’s important to know that not all Apple Watches offer blood oxygen tracking.

Here are the models that do not include the oxygen sensor:

• Apple Watch SE (2020, 2022, 2023): These models are focused on affordability and skip advanced sensors.

• Apple Watch Series 3, 4, and 5: These were released before the sensor became available.

So if you need oxygen tracking, you’ll want to stick with the Series 6 or newer.

Still unsure which model is best for your needs? Don’t miss our guide on which Apple Watch is the best.

How Accurate Is the Blood Oxygen Sensor? Which Apple Watch Has Oxygen Sensor? 

Which Apple Watch Has Oxygen Sensor?  The Apple Watch’s SpO2 sensor is accurate enough for general health and wellness tracking, but it's not meant to replace professional medical equipment.

Apple has clearly stated that this feature is “not intended for medical use, including self-diagnosis or consultation with a doctor.”

That said, it’s incredibly useful for spotting trends or changes over time.

Several factors can influence accuracy:

• Movement during reading

• Tattoos or skin pigmentation

• Loose watch straps

• Cold environments

For a deeper scientific look, check this study from the National Institutes of Health about wearable sensor limitations.

Does the Blood Oxygen App Work Everywhere?

You might be surprised to learn that this feature is not available in every country.

Due to local regulations and health approvals, Apple restricts the Blood Oxygen app in some regions.

Supported Regions

Most developed countries fully support the Blood Oxygen app, including:

• United States

• Canada

• Australia

• United Kingdom

• Germany

• Japan

Limited or Unsupported Regions Which Apple Watch Has Oxygen Sensor? 

Which Apple Watch Has Oxygen Sensor?  Some countries may have restrictions due to government regulations:

• China (on some older models)

• Monaco

• India (partial support depending on version)

Your watch may include the hardware, but if you're in an unsupported region, the app won’t be visible.

Apple regularly updates their regional support list here.

How to Use the Blood Oxygen App

Once you have a compatible model, using the SpO2 feature is pretty simple.

Setting Up

Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
Go to Blood Oxygen and enable it.
If it’s missing, your country might not support the app.

Taking a Manual Reading

1. Open the Blood Oxygen app on your Apple Watch.

2. Sit still and rest your wrist on a flat surface.

3. Tap Start and wait for about 15 seconds.

4. Your result will appear as a percentage.

Enabling Background Monitoring Which Apple Watch Has Oxygen Sensor? 

Which Apple Watch Has Oxygen Sensor?  The watch can also measure your oxygen levels throughout the day and while you sleep.
To enable this:

• Ensure wrist detection is on.

• Wear your watch to bed.

• Keep the band tight but comfortable.

All readings are saved in your Health app on iPhone.

How to View and Interpret the Data Which Apple Watch Has Oxygen Sensor? 

You can check your blood oxygen levels over time in the Health app:

1. Open the Health app on your iPhone.

2. Tap Browse > Respiratory > Blood Oxygen.

3. Review your trends by day, week, or month.

What’s a Normal SpO2 Range?

Keep in mind, a few low readings here and there are not unusual — especially during sleep. But consistent drops below 90% should be taken seriously.

External Links (Used in Paragraphs)

1. Apple Official Support: Blood Oxygen App Overview
   https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211027
   Used to link Apple’s official documentation on how the blood oxygen feature works.

2. CNET: How Apple Watch Measures Blood Oxygen
   https://www.cnet.com/health/apple-watch-blood-oxygen-sensor-how-it-works/
   Can be linked for a deeper consumer-focused explanation of how the technology functions.

3. NIH (PMC): Study on Wearable SpO2 Sensor Accuracy
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7458477/
   Used to support the scientific limitations of consumer-grade pulse oximetry sensors.

YouTube Links (Educational & Visual Demonstrations)

1. Apple Watch Series 6 Blood Oxygen Sensor Demo
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um4vHpEQB9k
   Perfect to embed when discussing the manual reading feature.

2. Garmin Fenix 8 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2 - Which One Comes Out on Top?
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqep7noucX8
   Great when comparing Ultra vs Series 8 in the “Which Model Should You Choose” section.

3. Pulse oximeter: How it works and Interpretation II Pulse oximeter mechanism
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3MCvREORVA
   A visual breakdown of how light-based oxygen sensors work.

FAQs About Apple Watch Blood Oxygen Sensor

What Apple Watch was the first to include the oxygen sensor?

The Series 6, released in 2020, was the first model to include the blood oxygen sensor.

Does the Apple Watch SE have a blood oxygen sensor?

No. All versions of the Apple Watch SE do not include the necessary hardware for blood oxygen monitoring.

Can Apple Watch detect low oxygen levels?

Yes, but it won’t alert you like a medical device. It will log readings that you can review in the Health app.

Can tattoos interfere with the blood oxygen sensor?

Yes. Dark tattoos can absorb or scatter the light used by the sensor, leading to inaccurate readings.

Is it safe to rely on the blood oxygen sensor for health issues?

No. It’s a wellness feature, not a diagnostic tool. Use it to track trends, but consult a doctor for medical concerns.

Final Thoughts: Should You Get an Apple Watch With SpO2?

If you're serious about tracking your health, getting an Apple Watch with an oxygen sensor is absolutely worth it.

It’s a powerful tool for monitoring:

• Sleep quality

• Breathing patterns

• Fitness recovery

• Overall wellness

Choose the Series 9 if you want the latest and most balanced option.

Go for the Ultra 2 if you want the most accurate, rugged model for outdoor or intensive activities.

Avoid the SE if you want health tracking — it skips too many sensors.

And don’t forget, the right watch band also helps keep those readings accurate. You can find the best options in our Apple Watch bands collection.

Blog Author section.

Emily Johnson

 

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Emily is a seasoned writer and technology enthusiast with a passion for digital watches and wearable tech. With over a decade of experience in the tech industry, she brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to her readers.