Apple Watch ECG Capabilities to Arrive in watchOS 5.1.2 [Report]

Apple plans to enable the ECG functionality on the new Apple Watch Series 4 with the public release of watchOS 5.1.2, according to an internal training document obtained by MacRumors.

The new Apple Watch has electrodes built into the Digital Crown and the back crystal that work with a new ECG app to read your heart's electrical signals. Touching the Digital Crown will generate an ECG waveform in about 30 seconds. The ECG app can indicate whether your heart rhythm shows signs of atrial fibrillation — a serious form of irregular heart rhythm — or sinus rhythm, which means your heart is beating in a normal pattern.

To use the ECG app you'll need to pair the Apple Watch Series 4 to an iPhone 5s or later running iOS 12.1.1 or later. Initially the app will only be available in the United States but it will likely roll out to other countries once they've approved it for use.


Employees have been told to advise customers that the ECG app is "not intended to be a diagnostic device or to replace traditional methods of diagnosis," and "should not be used to monitor or track disease state or change medication without first talking to a doctor."

Another leaked training document says that watchOS 5.1.2 will also enable irregular heart rhythm notifications. Those will work with Apple Watch Series 1 through Apple Watch Series 4 models.

watchOS 5.1.2 has been in beta since November 7th. You can follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS to be notified of its release.

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