Apple Watch Gains Sleep Apnoea Detection Feature in India Alongside New AirPods Pro Hearing Test Update

Apple has expanded its health technology ecosystem in India with the rollout of new features for Apple Watch and AirPods Pro. The update brings Sleep Apnoea notifications to the Apple Watch along with a Hearing Test feature for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3. The company says these additions are designed to help users identify health conditions at an early stage, especially those that often go unnoticed for long periods.

One of the most significant upgrades is the introduction of sleep related monitoring under the Breathing Disturbances system. The Apple Watch uses its built in sensors to track subtle wrist movements during sleep, helping it understand breathing patterns throughout the night. Over time, this data is analysed to detect irregularities that may point towards possible sleep apnoea symptoms.

According to Apple, the watch collects and studies sleep data over a 30 day period before sending any alert. If consistent signs of moderate or severe breathing interruptions are detected, users receive a notification on their device. This is followed by the option to export a detailed report through the Health app, which can include up to three months of breathing data and sleep related insights that can be shared with medical professionals.

The company explains that the feature is powered by a machine learning based algorithm trained on clinical grade sleep study data. It has also undergone large scale clinical validation, where individuals flagged by the system were later confirmed to have at least mild levels of sleep apnoea. Apple highlights that this approach is intended to make early awareness more accessible through everyday wearable devices.

Beyond detection, the Breathing Disturbances feature also helps users understand overall sleep quality. Factors such as alcohol intake, medication, and sleeping position can influence breathing patterns during rest. Users are able to view long term trends in the Health app, categorised into elevated and non elevated patterns across monthly, half yearly, and yearly timelines, giving a broader picture of sleep health.

In a parallel update, Apple has also introduced a Hearing Test feature for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 in India. This tool allows users to assess their hearing ability conveniently and generate reports that can be shared directly with healthcare professionals through the Health app. With these updates, Apple continues to strengthen its focus on preventive health monitoring through its wearable devices.