Apple Releases watchOS 11 with Sleep Apnea Detection Feature
Apple has officially released watchOS 11 following months of beta testing. This update introduces a significant health-related feature: sleep apnea detection. Available on the Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Series 9, and Apple Watch Ultra 2, this feature is accessible in over 150 countries and regions starting today.
Global Availability
The sleep apnea detection feature is available in countries including the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, New Zealand, and Singapore. However, it is not yet available in Australia and Canada, as Apple is still seeking regulatory approval in these regions.
How Sleep Apnea Detection Works
Sleep apnea is a disorder where a person’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The Apple Watch uses its accelerometer to monitor small wrist movements associated with interruptions in normal respiratory patterns. Frequent disturbances over multiple nights may indicate sleep apnea.
Users can view their nightly Breathing Disturbances in the Health app on their iPhone, with disturbances classified as “elevated” or “not elevated.”
Development and Validation
Apple developed this feature using advanced machine learning and an extensive data set of clinical-grade sleep apnea tests, which were validated in a clinical study. The feature is intended for individuals 18 years or older who have not been diagnosed with sleep apnea.
Apple recently received FDA clearance for the feature in the U.S. and provided documentation detailing its development and validation process.
New Apple Watch Series 10
The new Apple Watch Series 10 launches on Friday, while the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 were released last year.
