Sleep Apnea Detection Will Be on Apple Watches Soon. Here's How It Will Work

The new Apple Watch 10’s big screen was the most dramatic Apple Watch feature announced at today’s annual iPhone launch event, but a new sleep apnea detection feature might be the most valuable addition. And it’s not just for the latest and greatest Apple Watch — the new feature should soon work on last year’s Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 as well. 

The sleep apnea detection feature uses the accelerometer to detect breathing interruptions at night, and will deliver the possible interruption results as watch notifications. But the new feature is still pending FDA approval, Apple’s Jeff Williams said during the livestreamed event. Apple’s expecting FDA clearance “very soon,” and the feature will also come to 150 countries this month.

Looking to preorder the latest Apple devices? We’re rounding up the best iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10 and AirPods 4 deals at launch.

Watch this: Apple Debuts Apple Watch Series 10

04:12

Apple’s move in sleep apnea mirrors Samsung, which already has its own apnea detection feature for its watches.

Not needing a new watch to diagnose possible sleep apnea is a pleasant plus, although I’m also curious how helpful and accurate the feature will be. As someone with sleep apnea who also uses a CPAP, I had to get a sleep study to determine the severity of my own apnea along with a pulmonologist. Apple’s detection feature looks like a way to prod someone who might not have thought about apnea to go see a sleep doctor (I did it because of my high blood pressure). Apnea’s not always a symptom you know you have, but it does require wearing the Apple Watch to bed — something I don’t often do, and many others don’t either.

Follow our live blog for more updates on today’s event.