Apple Watch Patent Ban: Is It Still in Effect?

Yes—the U.S. import ban on certain Apple Watch models tied to a patent dispute took effect in December 2023, but it does not remain in force as a blanket ban today. The U.S. International Trade Commission’s order was later blocked by a federal appeals court while Apple’s appeal proceeds, allowing affected watches to be imported and sold in the United States during that process.

What the Apple Watch patent dispute concerns

The dispute is between Apple and medical-technology company Masimo. Masimo alleged that Apple Watch features for measuring blood oxygen levels infringed its patents and that Apple had recruited employees with access to Masimo’s technology. Apple denied wrongdoing and challenged the patent findings. The import restriction came from a U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) proceeding, not from a court finding that every Apple Watch infringes a patent.

The ITC’s 2023 order covered Apple Watch models containing the blood-oxygen feature that it found implicated Masimo’s patents. The order was directed at imports and sales of those models in the United States. It did not bar Apple from selling every watch in every country, and it did not concern the basic timekeeping or fitness-tracking functions of the entire product line.

Why the ban took effect, then stopped

In October 2023, the ITC issued a final determination finding a violation of U.S. trade law and ordered a limited exclusion of the affected watches. After a presidential review period, the order became effective on December 26, 2023. Apple paused U.S. sales of the Series 9 and Ultra 2 ahead of that date. The Apple Watch SE, which lacks blood-oxygen monitoring, was not included in the restriction.

Apple appealed and asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to pause enforcement. On December 27, 2023, the appeals court temporarily allowed imports and sales to resume while it considered the request. In January 2024, the court granted a stay pending the appeal. A stay suspends enforcement; it does not erase the ITC’s decision or settle the patent dispute. That distinction explains why headlines can accurately describe a ban as having taken effect, while consumers can still find the affected models for sale in the U.S.

Which watches and features are affected

The dispute’s practical focus is the blood-oxygen measurement feature, often called pulse oximetry. The ITC order applied to certain Apple Watch models with that feature, including the Series 9 and Ultra 2 at the time of the original order. Apple’s later product changes and sales arrangements mean that model names alone may not tell a buyer whether a particular U.S. unit has blood-oxygen functionality.

In 2024, Apple began selling versions of the Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the United States without the blood-oxygen feature enabled, while continuing to sell models with the feature in other markets. The company also pursued a redesigned approach and sought approval from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which is responsible for determining whether imported products fall within an exclusion order. Customs decisions, product revisions, and ongoing litigation can affect the situation, so the status of a specific model or software feature should be checked against current Apple product information and reliable, recent reporting.

Not every Apple Watch is covered: the order is tied to particular products and the disputed technology.
Not every market is covered: the ITC import order concerns entry into the United States.
Not every watch bearing the same model name works identically: U.S. versions may differ in whether blood-oxygen measurement is available.

What this means for buyers and owners

For a U.S. buyer, the most useful question is not simply whether a Series 9 or Ultra 2 is “banned.” It is whether the particular watch being sold has the blood-oxygen feature, and whether the seller’s description accurately reflects the version. Check the listing, the included product documentation, and Apple’s current support information before purchasing if that function matters to you.

Existing owners generally do not need to return or stop using their watches just because the ITC issued an import order. The order addresses importation and certain sales, not a general prohibition on consumers possessing or wearing a watch they already own. Feature availability can differ by market and device version, however. Apple’s blood-oxygen measurement is a wellness feature, not a diagnosis, and it should not be treated as a substitute for medical evaluation.

What happens next in the legal case

The appeals court’s stay was an interim procedural step. The central appeal concerns the ITC’s findings and the patent issues underlying its order. The parties have also pursued separate patent litigation and other proceedings, so a development in one case does not automatically resolve every aspect of the conflict.

If Apple ultimately wins its appeal, the ITC determination could be reversed or otherwise changed. If the order is upheld, Apple could face renewed restrictions unless a redesigned product is found outside the order, the patents are no longer enforceable, or the companies reach another resolution. The outcome depends on court and agency decisions, not simply on whether Apple continues to list a watch on its website. For a current status check, look for dated reports from the Federal Circuit, the ITC, U.S. Customs, or the companies involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple Watch patent ban still in effect?
The original ITC order took effect in December 2023, but a federal appeals court stayed its enforcement while Apple’s appeal proceeds. It is therefore not currently operating as a blanket U.S. sales ban.

Which Apple Watch models were involved?
The order concerned certain models with blood-oxygen monitoring, including the Series 9 and Ultra 2 at the time. U.S. versions and feature availability have since changed, so check the exact product listing.

Can I buy an Apple Watch with blood-oxygen monitoring in the U.S.?
Availability depends on the model, version, and current legal and customs decisions. Do not assume that a U.S. listing for a familiar model name includes the feature; confirm with the seller and Apple’s current product details.

Does the dispute affect watches I already own?
The import order is not a general ban on consumer ownership or use. It does not, by itself, require existing owners to stop wearing their watches.

Why did Apple remove blood-oxygen monitoring from some U.S. models?
Apple offered U.S. versions without the feature as a way to continue selling affected product lines while the dispute and import order were being contested. Product and feature availability can change with legal developments.

Does this mean the Apple Watch is unsafe?
No. The dispute concerns alleged patent infringement involving a measurement feature; it is not an ITC finding that Apple Watch products are unsafe.

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