Apple Confirms Tattoos Can Interfere With Apple Watch

Apple Watch TattooApple has confirmed on a support page on its website that dark wrist tattoos have the potential of interfering with the Apple Watch's heart rate sensor (via Trusted Reviews). It was reported earlier this week that some tattoos, particularly dark or saturated ones, can affect the Apple Watch's heart rate sensor and ability to register contact with the wearer's skin.

"Permanent or temporary changes to your skin, such as some tattoos, can also impact heart rate sensor performance. The ink, pattern, and saturation of some tattoos can block light from the sensor, making it difficult to get reliable readings."

Apple does not offer a useful solution beyond connecting the Apple Watch wirelessly to external heart rate monitors such as Bluetooth chest straps, suggesting that users with tattoos covering the wrist may be forced to deal with this issue. Apple outlines skin perfusion and rhythmic movements as two other factors that can affect the performance of the Apple Watch's heart rate sensor.

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Top Rated Comments

acblue94 Avatar
131 months ago
Not Apples problem.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69Mustang Avatar
131 months ago
Image (http://www.vitiligotreatmentinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/man-with-vitiligo.jpg)

What about those afflicted with Vitiligo?

Ink is the issue. Not skin pigment.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nfl46 Avatar
131 months ago
This isn't surprising. All the people with sleeve tattoos on both arms, please cancel your orders so we can finally get our Apple Watch that have been processing since 4/10. Thank you!

I'm joking. Or maybe not. :)
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Imserious Avatar
131 months ago
"If you’re not able to get a consistent reading because of any of these factors, you can connect your Apple Watch wirelessly to external heart rate monitors such as Bluetooth chest straps." - Apples website.


If you want this device and you so happen to have a tattoo in place of where the heart rate sensor goes then you will make accomodations. Apple shouldn't have to apologize or make statements because of a persons personal choices. **** about "tattoogate"
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarlJ Avatar
131 months ago
Dang, and I just got that jet black tattoo on my wrist with an actual-size shadow of an Apple Watch, that says "Attach Apple Watch Here" in the middle. How ironic.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Poochi Avatar
131 months ago
Apple wants to sell as many watches as they can to as many people as they can reach. How is it not their problem? Apple is a business. Anything that can dissuade a customer from purchasing your product is a problem.

Not a problem for Apple. The customer is not compatible.

Like drug companies, they can warn the side effects or potential drug allergies and not all patients can take it.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)