Apple Says iOS 18.6.1 is Coming Today

In case you missed it — this is the post for people who mainly only read headlines — Apple has announced that it will be releasing iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1 later today. Apple shared this information in a press release on its Newsroom website.

Generic iOS 18
The software updates will re-enable the Blood Oxygen feature on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 models sold in the United States.

It is unclear if iOS 18.6.1 will include anything else, such as bug fixes or security patches. Overall, it is likely to be a minor update. Apple is now focused on iOS 26, which is deep into beta testing ahead of a general release in September.

Update: Apple has released iOS 18.6.1. There are no new security patches.

Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

Popular Stories

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

Apple Changes How You Order a Mac

Saturday January 31, 2026 10:51 am PST by
Apple recently updated its online store with a new ordering process for Macs, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. There used to be a handful of standard configurations available for each Mac, but now you must configure a Mac entirely from scratch on a feature-by-feature basis. In other words, ordering a new Mac now works much like ordering an...

Top Rated Comments

WarmWinterHat Avatar
25 weeks ago

In this specific scenario, theyre def a patent troll. Sueing and getting functionality that millions of users paid for, removed, and holding us all
hostage to their whims.

Surprised there isnt a class action against them
No, they are not.

Patent troll (n) - Disparaging term for a person or company that hoards patents for the purpose of threatening alleged infringers with legal action.

They absolutely build and sell products using the patents they own. You and others may not like what they are doing, and I have issues with how steadfastly disagreeable they are with licensing, but they do not fit the definition in the slightest. This nonsense is completely Apple's fault.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
25 weeks ago

Wow, did the patent troll finally give up? Thank god lol
They are not a patent troll, which doesn't produce anything. My company buys six figures of worth of Masimo SpO2 sensors per year.

..but to answer your question, no they did not. Apple is taking the readings on the watch and displaying on the iPhone only. You won't be able to view it on the watch before or after processing.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
StuBeck Avatar
25 weeks ago

Wow, blood ox back on line was certainly unexpected. (This could spark a wave of deferred initial purchases and upgrades*).

I wonder if Apple found that software workaround the Masimo patent(s), or if we will see in a regulatory filing (or press release) that a licensing or acquisition agreement has been reached.

(My understanding is that at least one of Maximo’s patents is scheduled to expire next year. If so, their window to extract revenue from it is closing).

* as for me I’ve stayed with my AW6, and as long as battery health (today 80%) hangs in, and it gets s/w updates, I’ll wait for BP or blood sugar, etc. despite a desire for an Ultra).
Its a work around. They are taking readings and completing the analysis on the phone. The Masimo patents pressumably were regarding doing the analysis on the watch directly.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
25 weeks ago

I was under the impression that they didn't even include the O2 hardware in the Series 10 in the USA because of the results of the patent lawsuit. Did they have the hardware in it just disabled in software?
Yes, sensor is there.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Robert.Walter Avatar
25 weeks ago
Wow, blood ox back on line was certainly unexpected. (This could spark a wave of deferred initial purchases and upgrades*).

I wonder if Apple found that software workaround the Masimo patent(s), or if we will see in a regulatory filing (or press release) that a licensing or acquisition agreement has been reached.

(My understanding is that at least one of Maximo’s patents is scheduled to expire next year. If so, their window to extract revenue from it is closing).

* as for me I’ve stayed with my AW6, and as long as battery health (today 80%) hangs in, and it gets s/w updates, I’ll wait for BP or blood sugar, etc. despite a desire for an Ultra).
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
spartan1967 Avatar
25 weeks ago
Game changer for September’s sell in.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)