Apple Watch receives medical approval for ECG feature in Japan
Apple has received approval from Japan’s medical authorities to release Apple Watch’s ECG app and irregular heart rhythm notifications in the country, suggesting the features could go live to users within the next watchOS update.
The Japanese Association for the Advancement of Medical Equipment (JAAME) confirmed on Friday that Apple had been granted domestic approval to roll out the feature to Apple Watch Series 4 and 5, as spotted by blog iPhone Mania.
Apple has been slow in enabling Apple Watch’s ECG functionality around the world since it launched with the Apple Watch Series 4 in 2018, mainly down to each country requiring individual approval before the technology can be legally released.
The expansion of the ECG app will allow customers in Japan to perform an electrocardiogram on their Apple Watch to show whether their heart rhythm indicates signs of atrial fibrillation, a serious form of irregular heart rhythm, or normal sinus rhythm.