Apple’s focus on health is well-known, so when it announced hypertension notifications for Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3, I suspected it might be deployed more widely. And it is. Here’s what’s coming and which models will have it.
Apple Watch Hypertension Notifications: Compatible Models
As well as Series 11 and Ultra 3, Apple has announced the new feature will also work on three other models: Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10 and Ultra 2. It requires the new operating software, watchOS 26, which will be released on Monday, Sept. 15.
Note that the Apple Watch SE 3, also announced in September for release on Friday, Sept. 19, does not have this feature, even though it shares the latest processor with the Series 11 and Ultra 3.
That’s because it doesn’t have the upgraded rear sensors on the Series 9 and later.
Apple Watch Hypertension Notifications: What To Expect
FDA clearance happened on Thursday, Sept. 11 and means the feature will be on Apple Watches in multiple countries soon, including the U.S., EU, and more. Though the U.K. isn’t in the EU, it will also get the update in the coming days.
Apple Watch users are familiar with how heart rate notifications work: if your heart rate is unexpectedly high or low, and you’re not working out, for instance, the watch will let you know. This will work in the same way.
You won’t see the new feature in action just yet, because it needs a minimum of 14 days of data (these don’t have to be sequential) and then its algorithm runs in 30-day intervals. So, you need to wear the watch for the majority of each day during waking hours to ensure adequate data is available. After 30 days, it can provide notifications. Apple describes it as a new addition to the company’s intelligent guardian features for Apple Watch, and believes it could detect signs of hypertension which might otherwise be missed.
It’s meant for adults over 22 and is not for use during pregnancy.
