Apple confirmed complaints that Apple Watch users with wrist tattoos may experience problems with the device, at least where heart rate monitoring is concerned.
As noticed by Trusted Reviews, Apple quietly updated its Watch support site, adding a paragraph that explains how “some tattoos” can throw off the heart-rate monitor function of the Watch.
“Permanent or temporary changes to your skin, such as some tattoos, can also impact heart rate sensor performance. The ink, pattern and saturation of some tattoos can block light from the sensor, making it difficult to get reliable readings,” Apple states on its website.
There is a solution, albeit not a very elegant one for daily use: You can buy a separate, Bluetooth heart rate monitor, such as a chest strap, and connect it to the Watch to get an accurate reading.
Apple’s explanation, however, doesn’t fully address the issues some tattooed users have experienced.
One user said he is constantly prompter to re-enter his passcode to access the Watch, because the device doesn’t sense contact with his skin — arguably a bigger issue than inaccurate heart rate monitoring.
And several users with a variety of different issues, including not receiving notifications on the Watch, gathered on a recent Reddit thread.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Source: mashable.com