smart watch and tattoos

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Level 1

4 points

smart watch and tattoos

I have tattoos on both arms (full sleeve) down to the wrist. When I used an old Fitbit strap it worked. Later I realised this was because it had two green LED's and so at least one was getting a reading. Now with a later Fitbit device it does not. A single green LED is provided. As a consequence I need to wear it upside down to connect to a small area that is largely tattoo free.

Does Apple provide a watch with two sensors or have a roadmap on their product line to consider this ? Lots of people have tats. I would absolutely consider buying an Apple Watch if this was addressed as I have an Apple Ecosystem (MAC, Phone, iPads)

Posted on Nov 14, 2023 04:53 PM

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Answer 1

BobHarris

Level 9

56,471 points

Nov 14, 2023 05:06 PM in response to noprofanity

Tattoos are notoriously a problem for the Apple Watch.

I suggest you search the forums for "Tattoo" and you will find may discussions about problems users with tattoos have using the Apple Watch.

While I like my Apple Watch a lot, I would suggest you proceed with caution because of your tattoos.

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Answer 2

noprofanity Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 14, 2023 05:16 PM in response to BobHarris

Thanks Bob. Yeah, I suspect issues based on other peoples comments. It would be pretty easy for me to check this if Apple shop allowed me to test one. The issue is pretty obvious. Certainly would not buy one without being able to test it first.

Thanks again

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Answer 3

BobHarris

Level 9

56,471 points

Nov 14, 2023 05:31 PM in response to noprofanity

I have not been in an Apple Store since Covid-19 started, and I do not know what policy changes have been made.

But before Covid-19, you could try on Apple Watches, and the staff would help you and answer questions.

I read that watchOS 10 is better at wrist detection for tattoo users, but that just means you can use Apple Pay. And I saw a post that said that we even questionable.

But nothing in any Apple Watch model allows the Apple Watch to see through the opaque tattoos to monitor blood flow in your wrist, so all the heart monitoring functions would not work for anyone that has tattoos under the Apple Watch.

Personally, you might be better looking at other brands of smart watch. I have zero knowledge of any of them. You already know about Fitbit. There is Garmin, and a host of Android smart watches.

And it does pain me to suggest another brand of smart watch, but it would be a disservice to you not to point out alternatives.

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smart watch and tattoos

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