Prior to the latest Apple Watch Series 11 launch, Apple brought back the blood oxygen feature to its Series 6 watch and later versions, as well as for the Apple Ultra watches. This tool lets you check how much oxygen your red blood cells are carrying from your lungs throughout your body, something many users don't even realize their watch can do.
Whether you have the newest version or not, the Apple Watch is packed with health-focused features that often fly under the radar. Beyond tracking steps or calories, it can monitor your heart, sleep and fitness routines.
To break down what these hidden features can actually do for your health, we spoke with a doctor at Apple. Here's what you should know if you want to get the most out of your watch and use it as more than just a fitness tracker.
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1. The Vitals app metrics
Using overnight health metrics, the Vitals app can reveal much about your health and how it changes daily. From heart rate and wrist temperature (available on Apple Watch Series 8 or later and any Apple Watch Ultra model) to respiratory rate and sleep duration, you can get a thorough picture of your health from just one glance at your watch. If you purchased an Apple Watch sold in the US before Jan. 18, 2024, you may also be able to measure your blood oxygen.
"When two or more of your metrics are out of range, we will notify you with information about why that might be," Dr. Lauren Cheung, a clinician at Apple, told CNET in an email. "How it works is just after you wake up, you might see a notification from the Vitals app. For example, maybe your heart rate and wrist temperature were high -- this could be due to illness or alcohol consumption."
With the health information provided by the Vitals app, you can make informed decisions about your body. If specific metrics are outside your normal range, you can choose to get extra rest that day or visit your doctor if you have particular symptoms.
How to set up the Vitals app on the Apple Watch
To set up your typical range, you must wear your Apple Watch for at least seven days. Ensure your watch is not loose on your wrist; otherwise, it might not capture accurate readings.
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