Apple has quietly activated one of its most advanced health features on the Apple Watch in more countries-this time rolling out sleep apnea detection to users in Australia.
The feature arrives via a new watchOS update and is available on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
This cutting-edge tool adds to the Apple Watch’s growing arsenal of wellness features now available across over 150 regions, including the US, EU, and Japan. Sleep apnea detection works by analyzing wrist movements during sleep using the watch’s built-in accelerometer. It identifies subtle breathing irregularities-called ‘Breathing Disturbances’-to assess potential sleep apnea patterns.
Each night, the Apple Watch collects respiratory data, which is compiled into the iPhone’s Health app. If signs of sleep apnea persist over a 30-day period, the app will alert users about potential moderate to severe cases. Apple developed the feature using nearly 4,000 nights of clinical-grade data from over 2,100 study participants, and a validation study showed it reliably flagged users with at least mild sleep apnea.
When triggered, the Sleep Apnea Notification will specify the time frame of the detected disturbances. However, Apple emphasizes that this feature is not intended to provide a diagnosis. Users concerned about their health should always consult a medical professional.
This update highlights the evolution of wearables from basic step trackers to advanced health monitors capable of detecting serious conditions. With competitors like Samsung also stepping up their health tech game, the $70 billion wearable health market is clearly heating up.
Apple is also pushing ahead with its ‘Beyond Sensor’ initiative and a new Wearable Behavior Model (WBM), which leverages AI to extract behavioral insights aimed at early health condition detection. These advancements underscore Apple’s broader mission to blend technology and long-term wellness in meaningful ways.