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Is Apple ever going to fix "Tattoogate" issue ?

So I have AW 5, and I am facing tattoogate issue if I wear it on my left hand (tattooed wrist). I know it is a consequence of how IR sensor works on inked skin, but is there any chance Apple is ever going to fix this issue or use other type of sensor for heart rate stuff ? Having watch on Right hand is not handy at all :(


Also does the same apply for AW 6 - is IR sensor the same or is it improved in any way? Can anyone who is tattooed and who is picking up one soon, could you please leave some feedback for us, tattooed users ? It would be much appreciated and thanks in advance!

Apple Watch Series 5, watchOS 6

Posted on Sep 17, 2020 1:00 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 17, 2020 3:12 PM

Some tattoos and some fingernail polish have been problematic for medical equipment since shortly after the inception of optical sensors—it can be difficult or impractical to get a good pulse oximetry reading through polish when using the common fingertip sensor, for instance.


With Apple Watch, Apple uses photoplethysmography, and that technique—that's a very commonly-used technique, too—is based red and on green light, and problems with the transmissivity of either or both of those colors through skin can or will make readings unreliable or unavailable.


Per Apple: 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.


Log some feedback with the folks at Apple: Product Feedback - Apple


I personally wouldn't expect a revolution in optical sensor technologies here. The optical properties of human blood haven't appreciably changed in quite a while.

5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 17, 2020 3:12 PM in response to alenfromtrebnje

Some tattoos and some fingernail polish have been problematic for medical equipment since shortly after the inception of optical sensors—it can be difficult or impractical to get a good pulse oximetry reading through polish when using the common fingertip sensor, for instance.


With Apple Watch, Apple uses photoplethysmography, and that technique—that's a very commonly-used technique, too—is based red and on green light, and problems with the transmissivity of either or both of those colors through skin can or will make readings unreliable or unavailable.


Per Apple: 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.


Log some feedback with the folks at Apple: Product Feedback - Apple


I personally wouldn't expect a revolution in optical sensor technologies here. The optical properties of human blood haven't appreciably changed in quite a while.

Sep 17, 2020 11:43 PM in response to MrHoffman

Thanks for your reply Mr.Hoffman. This is what I am afraid of yes. I am hoping that Apple will use other tehnologies for “Wrist Detection” since this one is crucial for Watch’s key features or replace IR sensor since more and more people is facing this issues with tattooes.

Regarding “photoplethysmography” I believe there is nothing we can hope and expect to be improved in anyvway :(

Is Apple ever going to fix "Tattoogate" issue ?

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