Apple Watch does not measure blood pressure directly
The standard Apple Watch models — Series 9, Ultra, and Ultra 2 — do not have a blood pressure sensor. Apple has never built this feature into any consumer watch it sells. If you need to track blood pressure, you will need a separate device: a traditional cuff you wear on your arm, a wrist cuff made by another manufacturer, or a smartwatch from a different brand that includes the sensor.
This matters because blood pressure is different from heart rate. Heart rate is how fast your heart beats. Blood pressure is the force your blood exerts against your artery walls — two numbers, systolic (pressure when your heart beats) and diastolic (pressure between beats). You cannot calculate one from the other. A device that measures heart rate accurately tells you nothing about blood pressure.
Apple has filed patents for blood pressure technology and tested it with research partners, but nothing has shipped to customers yet. Until Apple releases a model with this sensor built in, the Apple Watch will not track this measurement.
Key Takeaways
- No current Apple Watch model includes a blood pressure sensor, so you cannot measure blood pressure with one.
- Heart rate and blood pressure are separate measurements — knowing one does not tell you the other.
- If blood pressure tracking matters for your health, you need either a traditional cuff, a wrist cuff from another brand, or a smartwatch with this sensor built in.
- Some third-party apps claim to estimate blood pressure from heart rate data, but these estimates are not medically reliable and should not replace a real measurement.
What the Apple Watch does measure related to heart health
The Apple Watch tracks your heart rate throughout the day and during workouts. It can detect irregular heart rhythms (a feature called irregular rhythm notification) and alert you if it finds signs of atrial fibrillation. It also measures heart rate variability — the time between heartbeats — which some people use to track recovery and stress.
These measurements are useful for fitness and general awareness, but they are not substitutes for blood pressure monitoring. If your doctor has told you to track blood pressure because of high blood pressure, heart disease, or another condition, the Apple Watch cannot do that job. You need a device designed specifically for blood pressure.
Smartwatches and fitness trackers that do measure blood pressure
Several manufacturers have built blood pressure sensors into smartwatches. Samsung Galaxy Watch models (starting with the Galaxy Watch 3) include a blood pressure monitor. Withings makes hybrid smartwatches with blood pressure sensors. Some Garmin watches also include this feature. These devices use the same technology as traditional cuffs — they measure the oscillations in your artery as pressure is applied — but in a smaller form factor.
The trade-off is that wrist-based blood pressure sensors are less accurate than arm cuff devices, especially if you move during the measurement or if the watch is not fitted snugly. Most medical guidelines still recommend an arm cuff for diagnosis and treatment decisions. Wrist sensors are better for tracking trends over time than for single readings you need to act on when ready.
If you are comparing smartwatches and blood pressure tracking matters to you, check the manufacturer's specifications before you buy. Do not assume a smartwatch has this feature — many do not, and the Apple Watch is the most popular one that lacks it.
Why Apple has not added blood pressure to the Apple Watch yet
Building a blood pressure sensor into a watch is technically harder than measuring heart rate. Heart rate requires only light sensors that detect blood flow through your skin. Blood pressure requires either a small inflatable chamber (like a traditional cuff) or very precise sensors that can detect tiny changes in artery wall movement. Both approaches take up space and battery power.
Apple has also been cautious about medical claims. Any blood pressure feature would need to meet regulatory standards from the FDA and similar bodies in other countries. The company has chosen to move slowly rather than release a feature that does not meet medical accuracy standards. This is why the irregular rhythm detection took years to develop and why blood pressure, despite being tested, has not shipped yet.
Third-party apps that claim to measure blood pressure
Some apps in the App Store claim they can measure blood pressure using only the Apple Watch's heart rate sensor and your phone's camera. These apps do not work. There is no way to calculate blood pressure from heart rate alone. Apps that claim to do this are using statistical guesses based on population averages, not actual measurements of your blood pressure.
The FDA has warned consumers about these apps. If you see an app claiming to measure blood pressure without a separate sensor, it is not measuring anything — it is estimating, and the estimate could be dangerously wrong. Do not use these apps to make health decisions.
What to do if you need blood pressure tracking
If your doctor has told you to monitor blood pressure, buy a separate device. An automatic arm cuff (the kind you wear on your upper arm) is the most accurate option and costs between $30 and $100. These are available at any pharmacy and work with any phone or smartwatch you own.
If you want something that integrates with your Apple Watch ecosystem, Withings makes wrist cuffs that sync with Apple Health. Samsung Galaxy Watch owners can use the built-in sensor. Garmin watches with blood pressure sensors sync to the Garmin app and can send data to Apple Health through third-party services.
The key is to separate the question "What smartwatch do I want?" from "Do I need blood pressure tracking?" If blood pressure matters, choose the device based on that need first. If it does not matter for your health, the Apple Watch is excellent at everything else it does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a future Apple Watch have blood pressure?
Apple has not announced any plans to add blood pressure to the Apple Watch. The company has tested the technology but has not released it. If and when Apple adds this feature, it will likely be in a future model, but there is no confirmed timeline.
Can I use an app to add blood pressure tracking to my Apple Watch?
No app can measure blood pressure without a physical sensor. Apps that claim to estimate blood pressure from heart rate are not reliable and should not be used for health decisions. You need a separate device with an actual blood pressure sensor.
Is the Apple Watch's heart rate measurement accurate enough to replace blood pressure?
No. Heart rate and blood pressure are completely different measurements. Knowing your heart rate tells you nothing about your blood pressure. If your doctor wants you to track blood pressure, you need a device that measures it directly.
What is the cheapest way to track blood pressure with an Apple Watch?
You cannot track blood pressure with an Apple Watch itself. The cheapest option is to buy a separate automatic arm cuff (around $30 to $50) and record readings manually or sync it to Apple Health if the cuff supports it. This works with any smartwatch you own.
Do I need a smartwatch with blood pressure if I already have a regular cuff?
No. A traditional arm cuff is more accurate than any smartwatch sensor. If you already have one and your doctor is satisfied with how often you check, a smartwatch with blood pressure is optional — it is mainly useful if you want automatic tracking throughout the day without carrying a separate device.