Apple Watch ECG Feature Gets Approved in Australia

The Australian government has approved ECG functionality on the Apple Watch, giving Apple the all-clear to launch the feature for Apple Watch users in the country, according to a regulatory document first spotted by The 8-Bit.

apple watch ecg wrist
Earlier last month, the Apple Watch's irregular heart rhythm notification received approval in Australia, although ECG did not. Irregular heart rhythm is a feature that periodically reads your heart rhythm in the background and alerts you if it detects signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Both parts work in tandem as users who receive an irregular heart rhythm notification are advised to take an ECG for a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of their heart condition.

With regulator hurdles now out of the way, it's unclear when Apple will roll the feature out for users in Australia. Apple is currently testing watchOS 7.5, and although there's been no indication thus far, the update could include support for ECG in Australia. watchOS 7.4 is expected to debut in the early spring alongside iOS 14.5, which will introduce the ability to unlock an iPhone with an Apple Watch, amongst other features.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Tags: Australia, ECG
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

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Top Rated Comments

MrMaxwell Avatar
57 months ago
Finally!!!!!!!

I am going to miss commenting on ECG announcements for other countries with 'Australia?'

?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
steve09090 Avatar
57 months ago
Finally. I reckon I am so surprised that this has finally happened, I might have a heart attack!
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ekwipt Avatar
57 months ago

Given the nanny state that is Australia I have no surprise this has taken this long.
You say that but we have the best medicine testing policies in the world, vitamins, fitness supplements, baby formula. Most other countries you can’t trust what’s on the labels. Australia’s not perfect but we’ve got good regulations on important products.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
imattel Avatar
57 months ago
We may be late to the game here but think about how far behind the rest of the world is in episodes of Home & Away...
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BootLoxes Avatar
57 months ago
Welcome to the valley of the Kings my Australian friends
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bobmans Avatar
57 months ago

So Apple didn’t take years to submit their paperwork? They thought “let’s advertise a feature but not make an effort in allowing that feature to work”.
They could submit it all they want, it wouldn't get approved.

TGA finally modified their policies last week (on February 25th) to allow devices like the AW to get approved, we're not even a week later and Apple has already submitted their paperwork and got it approved which means they literally had their paperwork ready on day 1. These TGA policy changes were supposed to be made last summer but due to COVID it got delayed.

Get informed:
https://www.tga.gov.au/regulation-software-based-medical-devices

Also, they never advertised ECG in Australia.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)