Apple confirms ink in some darker wrist tattoos can interfere with Apple Watch heart rate sensor
Apple this week updated a support page for the Apple Watch, revealing that the ink found in some tattoos on the wrist can in fact affect the heart rate monitor, and associated wrist detection feature, for the new wearable device.
Image Credit: Reddit user guinne55fan
"Permanent or temporary changes to your skin, such as some tattoos, can also impact heart rate sensor performance," the newly updated product support page reveals. "The ink, pattern, and saturation of some tattoos can block light from the sensor, making it difficult to get reliable readings."
Apple notes that users who are unable to get a consistent reading can still connect an external heart rate monitor, such as a Bluetooth chest strap, if they wish to get a pulse reading while working out with their Apple Watch.
Some early adopters of the Apple Watch took to Reddit earlier this week noting that dark wrists tattooed with black ink seemed to interfere with the heart rate sensor. This sensor goes beyond just heart rate, however, and serves as a secure -- but optional -- authorization and automatic unlocking mechanism for the Watch.
Users with dark wrist tattoos can turn off wrist detection entirely to solve the problem. The heart rate sensor on the Apple Watch uses a method known as photoplethysmography, which flashes infrared and/or green LED lights to detect blood flow.
Image Credit: Reddit user guinne55fan
"Permanent or temporary changes to your skin, such as some tattoos, can also impact heart rate sensor performance," the newly updated product support page reveals. "The ink, pattern, and saturation of some tattoos can block light from the sensor, making it difficult to get reliable readings."
Apple notes that users who are unable to get a consistent reading can still connect an external heart rate monitor, such as a Bluetooth chest strap, if they wish to get a pulse reading while working out with their Apple Watch.
Some early adopters of the Apple Watch took to Reddit earlier this week noting that dark wrists tattooed with black ink seemed to interfere with the heart rate sensor. This sensor goes beyond just heart rate, however, and serves as a secure -- but optional -- authorization and automatic unlocking mechanism for the Watch.
Users with dark wrist tattoos can turn off wrist detection entirely to solve the problem. The heart rate sensor on the Apple Watch uses a method known as photoplethysmography, which flashes infrared and/or green LED lights to detect blood flow.
Comments
Racismgate
Face it folks, tattoos are not a good idea.
Although I personally don't like tattoos, the above statement is ludicrous. Not being able to wear a luxury gadget on your wrist without issues is not the end of the world.
Nope. Apple Watch may not read certain ink in tattoos. Reads through dark skin just fine.
Although I personally don't like tattoos, the above statement is ludicrous. Not being able to wear a luxury gadget on your wrist without issues is not the end of the world.
So, what good are tattoos?
Have you heard of hipsters?
Whatever.
So far, I'd rather get the tattoo than the watch.
Then how in the world did you end up here reading and posting about Apple Watch?
Why aren't you spending your time and energy reading Tattooinsider?
So far, I'd rather get the tattoo than the watch.
Probably just as well.
I think the article's photo speaks for itself. The two don't really go well together.
Well good, that settles it. An unambiguous statement. Apple did not state that some “fix” was on the way. No software patch, no recall, no hedging. The watch sensors will not work with some dark tattoos on the wrist. Live with it, people. End of story. Can we move on now?
Regardless of you opinion on tattoos the fact is that 20% of the population have them and the trend is moving higher. It is a tremendous oversight on Apple's part knowing that many of their users are creatives and artists in which the percentage of tattoos is likely even higher.
It is a free country. Buy a tattoo if you want one, but don't expect miracles. It will cause you more other problems than with the watch.
I certainly they [tattoos] won't cause me to lose comprehension of grammar!
Well the argument in the last thread here focused on the evil of people with tattoos, which was ridiculous. Apple took the right approach here. There may not be anything they can do about it and why should they.
What about on colored people? I saw this real stupid article yesterday, asking if the Apple Watch works on people of color.
Will the Apple Watch’s coolest feature work for people of color?
http://fusion.net/story/60771/will-the-apple-watchs-coolest-feature-work-for-people-of-color/
So far, I'd rather get the tattoo than the watch.
And if I had to choose between the two, I'd have to go with the Apple watch, instead of permanently defiling my body with nonsense. But to each his own!
Apple Watch won't read dark skin:
Racismgate
Way to misconstrue the problem. Dark tattoos are the problem, not dark skin. I think Pharrell, Beyonce, Drake, or any of the other non-light-skinned early Watch owners might have complained otherwise.