Apple Says iOS 18.6.1 is Coming Today

In case you missed it — this is the post for people who mainly only read headlines — Apple has announced that it will be releasing iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1 later today. Apple shared this information in a press release on its Newsroom website.

Generic iOS 18
The software updates will re-enable the Blood Oxygen feature on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 models sold in the United States.

It is unclear if iOS 18.6.1 will include anything else, such as bug fixes or security patches. Overall, it is likely to be a minor update. Apple is now focused on iOS 26, which is deep into beta testing ahead of a general release in September.

Update: Apple has released iOS 18.6.1. There are no new security patches.

Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

Popular Stories

Apple Wallet ID Illinois

Apple Plans to Expand iPhone Driver's Licenses to These 7 U.S. States

Wednesday December 24, 2025 8:40 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

Tuesday December 23, 2025 8:36 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID Front camera in...
maxresdefault

Where's the New Apple TV?

Monday December 22, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV 4K since 2022, and 2025 was supposed to be the year that we got a refresh. There were rumors suggesting Apple would release the new Apple TV before the end of 2025, but it looks like that's not going to happen now. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said several times across 2024 and 2025 that Apple would...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Monday December 22, 2025 8:47 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 26.2, following more than a month of beta testing. It is a big update, with many new features and changes for iPhones. iOS 26.2 adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted a total of eight new features. Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen A new slider in the Lock...
maxresdefault

10 Mac Apps Worth Trying in 2026

Wednesday December 24, 2025 9:27 am PST by
2026 is almost upon us, and a new year is a good time to try out some new apps. We've rounded up 10 excellent Mac apps that are worth checking out. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Alt-Tab (Free) - Alt-Tab brings a Windows-style alt + tab thumbnail preview option to the Mac. You can see a full window preview of open apps and app windows. One Thing (Free) -...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Iridescent Search

Samsung Developing 'Wide Fold' With iPhone Fold-Like Design Ahead of Apple's 2026 Launch

Tuesday December 23, 2025 11:55 am PST by
Samsung is working on a new foldable smartphone that's wider and shorter than the models that it's released before, according to Korean news site ETNews. The "Wide Fold" will compete with Apple's iPhone Fold that's set to launch in September 2026. Samsung's existing Galaxy Z Fold7 display is 6.5 inches when closed, and 8 inches when open, with a 21:9 aspect ratio when folded and a 20:18...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 Brings AirPods-Like Pairing to Third-Party Devices in EU Under DMA

Monday December 22, 2025 3:20 pm PST by
The European Commission today praised the interoperability changes that Apple is introducing in iOS 26.3, once again crediting the Digital Markets Act (DMA) with bringing "new opportunities" to European users and developers. The Digital Markets Act requires Apple to provide third-party accessories with the same capabilities and access to device features that Apple's own products get. In iOS...
iphone fold 3d print

Have a 3D Printer? You Can Make Your Own iPhone Fold Dummy

Tuesday December 23, 2025 1:31 pm PST by
Apple is working on a foldable iPhone that's set to come out in September 2026, and rumors suggest that it will have a display that's around 5.4 inches when closed and 7.6 inches when open. Exact measurements vary based on rumors, but one 3D designer has created a mockup based on what we've heard so far. On MakerWorld, a user named Subsy has uploaded a 1:1 iPhone Fold replica (via Macworld), ...
iPhone Fold Vertical Feature

Why Apple's Foldable iPhone May Be Smaller Than Expected

Tuesday December 23, 2025 5:21 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone, rumored for release next year, may turn out to be smaller than most people imagine, if a recent report is anything to go by. According to The Information, the outer display on the book-style device will measure just 5.3 inches – that's smaller than the 5.4-inch screen on the ‌iPhone‌ mini, a line Apple discontinued in 2022 due to poor sales. The report has led ...

Top Rated Comments

WarmWinterHat Avatar
19 weeks ago

In this specific scenario, theyre def a patent troll. Sueing and getting functionality that millions of users paid for, removed, and holding us all
hostage to their whims.

Surprised there isnt a class action against them
No, they are not.

Patent troll (n) - Disparaging term for a person or company that hoards patents for the purpose of threatening alleged infringers with legal action.

They absolutely build and sell products using the patents they own. You and others may not like what they are doing, and I have issues with how steadfastly disagreeable they are with licensing, but they do not fit the definition in the slightest. This nonsense is completely Apple's fault.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
19 weeks ago

Wow, did the patent troll finally give up? Thank god lol
They are not a patent troll, which doesn't produce anything. My company buys six figures of worth of Masimo SpO2 sensors per year.

..but to answer your question, no they did not. Apple is taking the readings on the watch and displaying on the iPhone only. You won't be able to view it on the watch before or after processing.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
StuBeck Avatar
19 weeks ago

Wow, blood ox back on line was certainly unexpected. (This could spark a wave of deferred initial purchases and upgrades*).

I wonder if Apple found that software workaround the Masimo patent(s), or if we will see in a regulatory filing (or press release) that a licensing or acquisition agreement has been reached.

(My understanding is that at least one of Maximo’s patents is scheduled to expire next year. If so, their window to extract revenue from it is closing).

* as for me I’ve stayed with my AW6, and as long as battery health (today 80%) hangs in, and it gets s/w updates, I’ll wait for BP or blood sugar, etc. despite a desire for an Ultra).
Its a work around. They are taking readings and completing the analysis on the phone. The Masimo patents pressumably were regarding doing the analysis on the watch directly.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
19 weeks ago

I was under the impression that they didn't even include the O2 hardware in the Series 10 in the USA because of the results of the patent lawsuit. Did they have the hardware in it just disabled in software?
Yes, sensor is there.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Robert.Walter Avatar
19 weeks ago
Wow, blood ox back on line was certainly unexpected. (This could spark a wave of deferred initial purchases and upgrades*).

I wonder if Apple found that software workaround the Masimo patent(s), or if we will see in a regulatory filing (or press release) that a licensing or acquisition agreement has been reached.

(My understanding is that at least one of Maximo’s patents is scheduled to expire next year. If so, their window to extract revenue from it is closing).

* as for me I’ve stayed with my AW6, and as long as battery health (today 80%) hangs in, and it gets s/w updates, I’ll wait for BP or blood sugar, etc. despite a desire for an Ultra).
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
spartan1967 Avatar
19 weeks ago
Game changer for September’s sell in.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)