On December 20, 2023, a ban on selling Apple smartwatches was implemented in the United States, after the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled that Apple had infringed on two patents held by Masimo in the field of health technology, related to the ability to sense blood oxygen levels.
The ban includes all modern Apple watches sold since 2020, such as Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch Series 7, Apple Watch Series 8, and Apple Watch Ultra, as well as Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Apple Watch SE devices that do not feature a blood oxygen sensor are exempt from the ban. Individuals with specific watches under warranty or purchased before December 25 will not be affected by repair restrictions.
Due to the ban, Apple will no longer be able to repair most hardware issues in the smartwatches, including cracked screens. The company will continue to provide assistance that can be offered through software solutions, such as operating system reinstalls.
The repair ban poses a potential challenge for owners of Apple watches outside of warranty that may need repair. Apple may continue to offer assistance through software, but it is unclear whether they will find a solution to allow for the repair of watches affected by hardware issues.
