Apple has received approval from the Therapeutics Goods Administration to enable sleep apnoea detection through the Apple Watch. Approval was granted on 29 May 2025.
The intended purpose of the new-to-Australia feature is covered in the TGA’s public summary report.
It states:
The Sleep Apnoea Notification Feature (SANF) is a software-only mobile medical application that analyzes Apple Watch sensor data to identify patterns of breathing disturbances suggestive of moderate-to-severe sleep apnoea and provides a notification to the user. This feature is intended for over-the-counter (OTC) use by adults age 18 and over who have not previously received a sleep apnoea diagnosis and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or aid in the management of sleep apnoea.
The absence of a notification is not intended to indicate the absence of sleep apnoea.
Apple Watch is not intended as a medical grade diagnostic device. Its purpose is to indicate that you may need to seek further help.
Apple has been adding new medical features to the Apple Watch steadily over the years. When Apple introduced its single-lead ECG, Australians had to wait for TGA approval. More recently, the same applied when Apple enabled hearing aid functions through AirPods.
While TGA approval has been given, sleep apnoea detection is not turned on just yet. It will require a software update to the Apple Watch. However, with WWDC25 just a few days away, it’s unlikely we’ll see that update come before then.
Similar approval has also been granted to Samsung.
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.