Apple Confirms That Tattoos May Affect Apple Watch Heart Rate Sensor Performance

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Posted May 1, 2015 at 4:09pm by iClarified

Apple has confirmed that tattoos may affect Apple Watch heart rate sensor performance in an updated support document. Early adopters have been noticing issues with the sensor depending on the style or and position of their tattoos.

Here's what Apple has to say:

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Permanent or temporary changes to your skin, such as some tattoos, can also impact heart rate sensor performance. The ink, pattern, and saturation of some tattoos can block light from the sensor, making it difficult to get reliable readings.

If you’re not able to get a consistent reading because of any of these factors, you can connect your Apple Watch wirelessly to external heart rate monitors such as Bluetooth chest straps.
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Have you been affected by this issue? Let us know in the comments.

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Apple Confirms That Tattoos May Affect Apple Watch Heart Rate Sensor Performance

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Comments (5)

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skeeter48 - May 4, 2015 at 4:05pm

Duh!!! Anyway, this won't be an issue for people whose race is much darker skinned than those who are pasty white as long as they don't have tattoos on their wrists. Tattoo inks strongly absorb both green and IR light thus eliminating the ability to measure heart rate due to the changes in skin color normally associated with each pulse of fresh blood.

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justabrake - May 1, 2015 at 5:40pm

does anyone think these watches will be accurate as in a doctors office ! LOL if you believe that ! it'll be like visiting the kiosh ( HIGI) in shoprite store for the blood pressure test The HIGI station never gets it right they are way off

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exod balzac - May 1, 2015 at 4:58pm

they will release 0.2v firmware called "Black Edition" :) . i have still the LG G watch R and very pleased with it .

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zetaprime - May 1, 2015 at 5:18pm

Probably not a problem with natural skin pigments. The chemistry of inks in tattoos is quite different.

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Sweet Pea - May 1, 2015 at 8:40pm

I don't think their will be a problem. Apple says it's the patterns in the tattoo and heavy deposits of paint pigment that affects the sensors. I'm not black but I do have brown skin, I'd say 2 or 3 shades darker than Beyoncé, and the watch has no problems with my skin.

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