Apple Watch ECG Feature Likely Coming Soon to Japan and Brazil

Apple has included an ECG function in new Apple Watch models since 2018, providing users in select territories with the ability to measure the electrical activity of their heart. Apple now appears to be ready to extend the ECG feature to Brazil and Japan, based on recent government filings.

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According to MacOtakara, Japan's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) recently updated its list of registered foreign manufacturers to include Apple as a "certified entity." Apple's inclusion in the list makes no mention of the ECG function, but it's more than likely that Apple's certification relates to the feature found in Apple Watch Series 4 and 5 models.

Apple was registered on March 25, 2020, which 9to5Mac notes was the same day the Brazilian government announced approval of Apple's ECG app. Apple will likely now issue an update to Apple Watch users in the two countries to enable the electrocardiogram feature and irregular heart notifications on their devices.

Apple routinely has to gain approval from government health agencies before marketing the Apple Watch's ECG feature in different countries. Apple won U.S. FDA clearance to promote the function when the Apple Watch Series 4 launched in 2018.

Saudi Arabia was the last country to gain ECG functionality and irregular heart rhythm notifications with the release of watchOS 6.2.5 in May.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Tags: Brazil, Japan
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

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Top Rated Comments

ApeBot Avatar
63 months ago
Australia?
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
davidec Avatar
63 months ago

Come on Apple...why are you dragging your feet with Australia?
id be surprised if it was Apples fault. We are a bigger market than some of the others that have ECG for Apple. No doubt due to some drawn out process by the relevant Australian health authorities
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrMaxwell Avatar
63 months ago
Australia????

First the Rugby and now New Zealand beat us with ECG too...
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AussieStu Avatar
63 months ago
How about Australia? I think we are going to be lucky to ever get this feature. Maybe by Apple Watch-27, Australia might get our Apple Watch-4 features enabled.:rolleyes:
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
locksmack Avatar
63 months ago
Come on Apple...why are you dragging your feet with Australia?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
citysnaps Avatar
63 months ago

Come on Apple...why are you dragging your feet with Australia?
I suspect each country's government health organization has different requirements and regulations along with a process for acceptance - and that drives the amount of time it takes. Perhaps that's where the feet-dragging is.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)