Apple Watch Debuts Blood Pressure Alerts in Australia
Apple has introduced blood pressure alerts on the Apple Watch in Australia, following the approval from the country’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in December 2025. This innovative feature is now active, enabling users with specific Apple Watch models to monitor potential hypertension.
Hypertension Notification Details
This hypertension alert feature utilizes a software update that was implemented on December 4, 2025. It is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 9 and later, as well as the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and later models running on watchOS 26.
Background Information
- The feature can analyze blood vessels over a 30-day period.
- It leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for data analysis.
- Apple claims the technology has been validated through studies involving over 100,000 participants.
According to Apple, this feature has the potential to alert over 1 million individuals with undiagnosed hypertension in its first year of operation. However, Professor Garry Jennings from the Heart Foundation cautioned that a lack of notifications doesn’t guarantee the absence of hypertension.
Intended Use and Limitations
The blood pressure alert function is targeted at adults aged 22 and older, excluding pregnant individuals or those with a prior diagnosis of hypertension. The TGA specifies that this feature should not replace traditional diagnostic methods or be used for ongoing blood pressure surveillance.
Competitors in the Market
- Samsung offers a Blood Pressure app on its Galaxy smartwatches, which requires initial calibration with a cuff-based monitor.
- Google is researching hypertension screening for its Pixel Watch devices with a study involving up to 10,000 participants.
Future Connectivity Features
While the Apple Watch Series 11 introduced 5G capability globally in September 2025, Australian users are yet to access this feature. Apple is currently in discussions with local telecommunications providers and awaiting regulatory approval.
In the past, Australian Apple Watch users experienced delays in accessing several health features. For instance, sleep apnea notifications took nearly two months to become available after TGA approval in May 2025, while heart health features took over two years to be implemented after their initial US launch in December 2018.
This new blood pressure alert feature marks a significant advancement in wearable health technology, providing Australian users with innovative tools to manage their health proactively.
