Since its debut, the Apple Watch has been more than just a timepiece—similar to how the iPhone is more than just a phone. It’s become a powerful tool that provides users with detailed insights into their health.
With the Apple Watch, you can track things like steps, calories burned, heart rate, and even your menstrual cycle. And now, thanks to FDA clearance, it can also detect sleep apnea.
This new feature, available with WatchOS 11, monitors breathing patterns through tiny wrist movements. These movements can signal moments when breathing briefly stops during sleep—a key sign of sleep apnea.
While the detection system isn’t perfect, it can alert you to possible moderate or severe sleep apnea based on how many breathing disturbances the watch picks up. You can view this information in the Health app, which may help doctors get a better idea of potential issues. It won’t replace formal sleep studies, but it’s a useful tool for guiding medical professionals.
Apple has consistently added health and fitness features to the Watch, making it a favorite for those focused on well-being. However, it hasn’t been without challenges. Earlier this year, Apple had to remove the blood oxygen monitoring feature due to a lawsuit from health tech company Masimo, leading to a sales ban upheld by President Biden. This nearly halted the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2.
Fortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any legal issues with the sleep apnea detection feature, and with FDA approval, Apple is set to roll it out.
