Galaxy Ring sleep apnea detection arrives with Samsung's upgraded feature
Samsung said on Tuesday, November 3, that its upgraded Sleep Apnea feature is now available on the Galaxy Ring and Galaxy Watch, following US Food and Drug Administration clearance in July. Samsung says it is the first company to offer sleep apnea risk detection on a smart ring, and the update now estimates how often your breathing is disrupted instead of only flagging a risk.
What the upgrade changes
The feature lives in the Samsung Health Monitor app. Samsung says the new algorithm analyzes vitals during sleep in more depth and now reports the level of breathing disruptions it detects, going beyond the risk assessment the earlier version offered.
It needs 2 nights of valid data within a 10-day period, and the nights don't have to be back to back. Samsung says the ring's lightweight design makes it easy to wear through the night.
Which devices get it
Samsung says the feature is available on the Galaxy Ring and on the Galaxy Watch 9 running Wear OS 7.0 or later. Support for the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch 8 will come in future software updates, but Samsung didn't give a date.
You also need a Galaxy phone. Samsung's Galaxy Watch 9 launch materials list Android 12 or later as a requirement and say the feature is offered only in select countries. The November announcement doesn't list which countries get the ring version.
Approvals and limits
Samsung's original Sleep Apnea feature for Galaxy Watch received De Novo authorization from the FDA in February 2024. Samsung described it as the first authorization of its kind for a wearable built to detect signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea. The upgraded version has now also been approved by Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and Samsung says it will bring the feature to more countries.
Samsung describes the feature as an over-the-counter, software-only mobile medical app for people 18 and older. It isn't meant for anyone already diagnosed with sleep apnea, and Samsung says it should not replace diagnosis or treatment by a clinician. The Galaxy Watch 9 materials also tell pregnant users not to use it.
What it means for you
If you own a Galaxy Ring or a Galaxy Watch 9 and a Galaxy phone, check the Samsung Health Monitor app for the update. Wear the device for 2 nights within 10 days to get a reading. A result that shows frequent breathing disruptions is a reason to talk to a doctor, not a diagnosis.
Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch 8 owners will have to wait for a software update. If you use an iPhone, the Galaxy Ring's sleep apnea check isn't an option, because it requires a Galaxy phone.