Apple Watch Series 4 to get ECG suport with the public release of watchOS 5.1.2

tech2 News StaffNov 29, 2018 20:30:48 IST

The Apple Watch Series 4 was launched back in September and one of the biggest feature additions to this 4th gen smartwatch is the new ECG sensor built into it. Sadly, the feature isn't yet available because it's not enabled in watchOS yet. If latest reports are to be believed, the feature will finally be enabled with the public release of watchOS 5.1.2. Of course, the feature will still be restricted to the US. There's still no word on when the feature will be made available to the rest of the world.

Apple Watch Series 4. Image: Apple

As per an internal Apple Store training document obtained by MacRumors, watchOS 5.1.2 will feature an Apple-designed ECG app which is capable of indicating whether the user's heart rhythm shows signs of atrial fibrillation (a serious form of irregular heart rhythm) or a normal sinus rhythm.

Once the feature is live, all one has to do is touch the Digital Crown to activate the ECG sensor and then you should have a report in 30 seconds. The Watch will also monitor heart rhythm automatically from time to time.

All health data is recorded and encrypted and can be shared in PDF form with doctors.

watchOS 5.1.2 is currently in beta testing and isn't yet available for the public. But once it arrives, it will be able to read your heart rhythm just as accurately as a single-lead electrocardiogram. Apple has promised that the feature will be added by the turn of the year and while we're not certain that the next update will arrive before 2019, it shouldn't be a long time away.