Apple Says iOS 18.6.1 is Coming Today

Thursday August 14, 2025 7:29 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

In case you missed it — this is the post for people who mainly only read headlines — Apple has announced that it will be releasing iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1 later today. Apple shared this information in a press release on its Newsroom website.

Generic iOS 18
The software updates will re-enable the Blood Oxygen feature on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 models sold in the United States.

It is unclear if iOS 18.6.1 will include anything else, such as bug fixes or security patches. Overall, it is likely to be a minor update. Apple is now focused on iOS 26, which is deep into beta testing ahead of a general release in September.

Update: Apple has released iOS 18.6.1. There are no new security patches.

Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

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Top Rated Comments

WarmWinterHat

3 weeks ago

In this specific scenario, theyre def a patent troll. Sueing and getting functionality that millions of users paid for, removed, and holding us all
hostage to their whims.

Surprised there isnt a class action against them

No, they are not.

Patent troll (n) - Disparaging term for a person or company that hoards patents for the purpose of threatening alleged infringers with legal action.

They absolutely build and sell products using the patents they own. You and others may not like what they are doing, and I have issues with how steadfastly disagreeable they are with licensing, but they do not fit the definition in the slightest. This nonsense is completely Apple's fault.

Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

WarmWinterHat

3 weeks ago

Wow, did the patent troll finally give up? Thank god lol

They are not a patent troll, which doesn't produce anything. My company buys six figures of worth of Masimo SpO2 sensors per year.

..but to answer your question, no they did not. Apple is taking the readings on the watch and displaying on the iPhone only. You won't be able to view it on the watch before or after processing.

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

StuBeck

3 weeks ago

Wow, blood ox back on line was certainly unexpected. (This could spark a wave of deferred initial purchases and upgrades*).

I wonder if Apple found that software workaround the Masimo patent(s), or if we will see in a regulatory filing (or press release) that a licensing or acquisition agreement has been reached.

(My understanding is that at least one of Maximo’s patents is scheduled to expire next year. If so, their window to extract revenue from it is closing).

* as for me I’ve stayed with my AW6, and as long as battery health (today 80%) hangs in, and it gets s/w updates, I’ll wait for BP or blood sugar, etc. despite a desire for an Ultra).

Its a work around. They are taking readings and completing the analysis on the phone. The Masimo patents pressumably were regarding doing the analysis on the watch directly.

Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

WarmWinterHat

3 weeks ago

I was under the impression that they didn't even include the O2 hardware in the Series 10 in the USA because of the results of the patent lawsuit. Did they have the hardware in it just disabled in software?

Yes, sensor is there.

Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Robert.Walter

3 weeks ago

Wow, blood ox back on line was certainly unexpected. (This could spark a wave of deferred initial purchases and upgrades*).

I wonder if Apple found that software workaround the Masimo patent(s), or if we will see in a regulatory filing (or press release) that a licensing or acquisition agreement has been reached.

(My understanding is that at least one of Maximo’s patents is scheduled to expire next year. If so, their window to extract revenue from it is closing).

* as for me I’ve stayed with my AW6, and as long as battery health (today 80%) hangs in, and it gets s/w updates, I’ll wait for BP or blood sugar, etc. despite a desire for an Ultra).

Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)