Apple released iOS 26.4 beta 1 yesterday, bringing a couple of important updates for the Health app. This version reintroduces the Blood Oxygen readings to the Vitals graph for US users, and adds a new Sleep Highlight feature for tracking bedtimes.
iOS 26.4 changes
The headline news this time around involves the Health app’s Vitals graph. Apple has surprised everyone by reintroducing Blood Oxygen readings after their previous removal due to a patent dispute with Masimo.
To remind, in January 2024 Apple removed the Blood Oxygen feature from the Apple Watch. This was a major adjustment for users who relied on it for monitoring their health metrics. In August 2024, Apple revamped the Blood Oxygen feature allowing users to take readings but limited the access to iPhone viewing only. Unfortunately, this redesign excluded Blood Oxygen from the Vitals overview for users in the United States.
Now, iOS 26.4 restores that functionality. The Vitals graph displays five key metrics once again: heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, blood oxygen and sleep duration. This return to form is good to see. Being able to visualize trends in all these metrics over time is useful.
We don’t know exactly what allowed this change. Perhaps a deal with Masimo.
Sleep highlight feature
Alongside the Blood Oxygen restoration, iOS 26.4 showcases another addition with the new Sleep Highlight feature. This gives users a detailed breakdown of their bedtimes over the last two weeks, making it easier to track sleep habits.
The Sleep Highlight illustrates the user’s average bedtime, offering insights into their sleeping patterns. Additionally, it provides a comparison to the previous night’s bedtime.
This dual focus on both Vitals and sleep tracking reflects a growing understanding of how intertwined these elements are in managing overall health. Users can now recognize correlations between their sleep quality and other vital metrics, enhancing their ability to assess their wellness holistically.
Overall impact
iOS 26.4 feels like Apple tightening the screws. The Health app gets a bit cleaner and more joined up, especially with Blood Oxygen finding its way back into Vitals after a fairly messy year. Losing it in the first place was awkward, so this beta looks like Apple putting things back where they make the most sense.
The sleep update follows the same logic. Looking at bedtime trends over two weeks adds context that a single night never really gives you. Placed alongside heart rate, temperature, and other vitals, it makes the Health app feel more like a continuous record of how you live and recover.
via 9to5Mac
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