Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Wearables
  3. News

Apple admits that tattoos confuse the heart rate monitor on the Apple Watch

Andre Revilla
By

Apple Watch Sport
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
We’ve all heard people say, “That tattoo won’t look so nice in 20 years,” but how about, “That tattoo won’t play nice with future wearable technology!” Err … What? It seems that some people with dark wrist tattoos are having problems with the heart rate monitor on their Apple Watches.

Updated on 05-01-2015 by Malarie Gokey: Added statement from Apple on the effect of dark tattoos on the heart rate monitor.

Recommended Videos

Shortly after news of the issue went viral, Apple added a statement to its user guide, explaining why tattoos interfere with the heart rate monitor and what users can do to work around the issue.

Related

“The ink, pattern, and saturation of some tattoos can block light from the sensor, making it difficult to get reliable readings,” Apple wrote on the support page. “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.”

The issue seems to be most prevalent with people who have tattoos covering their wrists that are dark in color. Apparently, the dark tattoo ink absorbs the green light the watch gives out in order to read your heart rate, thus rendering the heart rate monitor useless. To make matters worse, the Apple Watch actually uses the heart rate monitor to determine when you are wearing the device. If the watch can’t detect that you’re wearing it, the screen locks with your passcode. Many users are also unable to use Apple Pay due to interference from their tattoos, because to add an extra level of security, Apple Pay will only work when the watch is being worn.

Along with Apple Pay, a number of apps are not working either, and many users are having trouble with even simpler functions, such as checking the watch through wrist movements. Rocking body art shouldn’t bar you from using the latest tech, and it will be interesting to see how Apple deals with this, or if those bearing wrist tattoos are simply out of luck.

While you can temporarily work around this issue by turning off  “wrist detection,” this will also disable the watch’s Apple Pay functionality. Seeing as there’s no quick fix for the issue, other dark or solid tattoos that limit the light penetrating your skin will continue to be a problem. So if you’ve got both your wrists tattooed, then its possible you’ll soon be returning your Apple Watch and waiting for the next one.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Andre Revilla
Andre Revilla
Andre Revilla is an entrepreneur and writer from Austin, TX that has been working in and covering the consumer tech space for…
Why you shouldn’t buy a new Apple Watch right now
The curved screen on the Apple Watch Series 9.

It has been over six months since the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 launched, and they are still considered two of the best smartwatches on the market. However, there are two significant reasons why you might not want to purchase either of these models.

Those reasons are the Apple Watch Series 8 and the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra. That's right — buying a 2022 Apple Watch over the newer models might be a better choice for you.
Why now's a great time to buy an old Apple Watch
The Apple Watch Series 9 (top) and Apple Watch Series 8 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Read more
8 watches you should buy instead of an Apple Watch
A person wearing the Apple Watch Series 9.

The Apple Watch Series 9 is the best smartwatch you can buy, regardless of the fact you can only use it with an iPhone. It's also great that it comes in three flavors — the Series 9, along with the Apple Watch SE 2, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 — to suit many more people and pockets than you may first think. However, perhaps you want something a little different on your wrist or even a weekend alternative when you don’t feel like wearing a touchscreen watch.

That’s where this list should help you out, as we’ve gathered eight watches to buy instead of the Apple Watch. Notice I said “watches,” and not just smartwatches, as some non-connected wristwear has been included. Our choices cover the entire Apple Watch range in terms of price, even going above and below, to give you some real inspiration about a watch to buy instead of — or as well as — the superb Apple Watch.
Casio G-Shock GPR-H1000 Rangeman
Casio G-Shock Rangeman Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Read more
Is the Apple Watch Series 9 waterproof?
Exercise data showing on the Apple Watch Series 9.

The Apple Watch Series 9, released in September 2023, is the latest addition to Apple's line of smartwatches. Alongside the Apple Watch Ultra 2, the Series 9 boasts many impressive features and upgrades.

The Apple Watch Series 9 resembles its predecessor, the Apple Watch Series 8, in terms of design. However, it does come with a few notable improvements. The watch offers more peak brightness, which makes it easier to view in bright sunlight, and the new chip is faster and more efficient than the previous model. It can also process some Siri requests entirely on-device, allowing you to perform certain commands even when not connected to your iPhone.

Read more