The Apple Watch blood oxygen saga just won’t die down. After Apple found a clever workaround to bring the feature back to Series 9 and Ultra 2 models in the U.S., medical tech company Masimo is now going after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), accusing the agency of overstepping its authority.
Why Masimo Is Suing Customs
According to a new lawsuit filed in Washington, D.C., Masimo says CBP acted unlawfully when it ruled that Apple could once again import watches with pulse oximetry capabilities.
The agency’s August 1 decision effectively gave Apple the green light to restore blood oxygen monitoring via a software update that shifts calculations from the watch itself to a paired iPhone. Masimo argues this move undermines the International Trade Commission’s (ITC) original patent ruling, and that CBP shouldn’t be creating “loopholes” to soften the ITC’s ban.
Quick Recap: The Backstory
- December 2023: ITC finds Apple’s blood oxygen sensors infringe Masimo’s patents: import ban on Series 9 and Ultra 2.
- January 2024: Apple halts U.S. sales for a few days, then resumes without the blood oxygen feature enabled.
- August 2024: With iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1, Apple reintroduces blood oxygen readings which are now calculated on iPhone instead of the watch.
That last move is what triggered this fresh round of legal drama.
What’s at Stake
Masimo is asking the court for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to stop CBP’s ruling from taking effect. If successful, Apple could once again face restrictions on Watch sales in the U.S.
Meanwhile, Apple hasn’t backed down on its stance: it believes the reworked implementation steers clear of Masimo’s patents.
The Bigger Picture
Apple’s long-running fight with Masimo highlights how high the stakes are in wearables. Health-tracking is a huge selling point for the Apple Watch, and losing a marquee feature like blood oxygen would hurt. But with Masimo continuing to fight every workaround, it’s clear this battle is far from over.
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