Apple Watch Series 6 with Tattoos

It’s so inconsistent, as said I never had an issue and (unfortunately ;-} no new tattoos later, worked just find since Series 0 (skipped Series 2). I say it works as expected 60% yet I turned wrist detection off. I highly doubt there will be a resolution from Apple since it is -for some here- been happening since the very first Apple Watch. They admitted it in 2015 but no action was taken as far as I know.

Mine works about, rough estimate 60% of the time. Which definitely isn’t enough because it doesn’t work in the situation where I need it to work. A +/- $900 watch should work 100% of the time but I’m not returning it unless  gives me a Titanium Series 6 that isn’t having this issue.

Try these bottle cap stickers. I have been using them for 2 years with my series 3 and they work 99% of the time. I don’t know what it is that makes them work but at least this way I get to use my watch as it’s intended to be used!!

Beadaholique 100-Piece Epoxy Stickers for Bottle Cap Pendants https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AFRWIRQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_-q5PFbTQZ6ECW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks. I had the RED Series 6. I loved it, but returned it. I was annoyed when it would stop tracking workouts mid workout. For now I am using a regular GShock watch when I am at work and then all other times I use a WHOOP strap for sleep tracking, training, and as a heart rate monitor. I was never too far from my phone for instance if I wanted to respond to a text or something and that's really all I was using the watch for besides workout tracking. For something that doesn't work perfectly without some kind of hack (like the epoxy sticker) it wasn't worth the $400 for me.

Seriously regretting not looking into this issue before purchasing the Series 6... Utterly disappointed. Mainly wanted it for workout and activity tracking.

Epoxy bottle cap stickers on the way but based on feedback here, ain’t looking good. Sad to say I’ll probably be returning the watch.

Heavily tattooed on both arms and hands. As it happens, the work on my eft wrist, inside and out, is quite heavy, as there’s coverup work involved, so it’s very dark. I have the tiniest gap inside my right wrist where the watch functions perfectly - but it’s such an unnatural, uncomfortable place for watch placement, I can’t hack it.

Are there ANY smart watches out there at all that function as they should with tattooing?

I have looked into this as well... reddit is a good place for anecdotal feedback but I have no first hand knowledge. Most recently, I was told that a Fitbit sense worked fine over tattooed skin by a user. I've also hear the "whoop" strap works fine over tattoos, but that doesnt seem like a "smart watch". I was interested in a Garmin or FitBit.

Yeah - at this point - if I have to return this watch (we’ll see when these epoxy stickers arrive) I will want some kind of Apple Watch substitute, not just an activity tracker, so I’m open to suggestions. I went for the Apple Watch thinking a more expensive watch would be able to do what my entry level Fitbit could not, but here I am with hundreds of euro of equipment on my wrist not functioning as it should...

I tried the stickers on my 6 series. no luck. I've taken to wearing it on my right wrist now. I'm about 3 weeks or so in now and still look to my left.

It is a far better user experience the watch not locking all the time.

Three size variations of epoxy stickers later - and sorry to report that they do not work with the Series 6. They also added a little bit of annoying bulk to the underside of the watch, which would've irritated me no end, even if they had done the trick. Overall, I just can't stomach the idea of having to apply stickers to a €400+ watch so that it functions correctly.

All said, I am keeping my Series 6: it tracks my steps and activity levels and I have tiny patches of un-tattooed skin on the inside and outside of my right wrist where it functions as it should, so I switch it over to there when using the Workout app.

I disabled the Passcode Lock, so that it stops locking when worn on the left wrist (which is where it stays most of the time) and while the watch still thinks it isn't even on me most of the time, I don't use Apple Pay or anything like that, so it isn't as irksome as I thought it would get. Also, I always have phone close, so I don't need to be getting notifications on the watch, too.

Currently awaiting an adjustable strap from the Apple Store, so that the transfer from left to right wrist when about to exercise is a smoother process; it's a little finicky with the solo loop I purchased along with the watch itself.

No disrespect to you. But I think people keeping the $600+ watches that don't function as intended, is why Apple continues to ignore the issue. If everyone who had an issue returned their watches instead of just finding work arounds for a half-functional smart watch, Apple might start paying closer attention to these issues.

A very valid point - and it wasn't a decision made overnight. I have grown to liking the watch (as a timepiece and for what it does manage to do) and it was a Christmas gift on top of everything else - so, a simple switch of the wrist for those times when I am changing out of regular clothing and donning workout wear anyway doesn't seem too much of a sacrifice, overall.

I understand completely. I brought it up as I was struggling with the same decision, keep it with reduced features or return it. I ultimately decided to return because I couldn't get it to work on either arm. Had I been able to, I probably would have kept it as well. What annoys me, it seemed to only affect wrist detection. All the active HR features on mine seemed to work ok. But so much functionality is tied to "Wrist detection".

Yeah I think that’s a fair comment. Tbh I never knew how much of a difference a fully functioning Apple Watch would be.

I still love it though, even if it’s on the wrong wrist.

I’m probably going to try ‘turning off wrist detection’

Completely agree with this statement. Apple is a tech giant. Look at all the advances in technology this company has made over the years. I think more people need to speak up. I acknowledge I am not an engineer and don't know the ins and out of the watch but you would think this would be something they could address. Until then, I am not going to pay that amount of money for a piece of technology that doesn't function properly.

I too put it on my “wrong” wrist but also got an Otter box to protect it. Separate from it feeling so weird and usually wearing watches on my left wrist, it also has more potential to get hit on things being on my dominant hand. Really hoping they find a fix/ even care.