Apple confirms Apple Watch wrist tattoo issue

If you’ve got nifty ink around your wrist, it might get in the way of using an Apple Watch.

Apple has confirmed that dark wrist tattoos have the potential of interfering with the Apple Watch’s heart rate sensor. It was reported earlier this week that some tattoos, particularly dark or saturated ones, can affect the Apple Watch’s heart rate sensor and ability to register contact with the wearer’s skin.

Per Apple’s support page on the topic.

“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’s current suggestions for the issue are to connect the Apple Watch to Bluetooth-based external heart rate monitors such as Bluetooth chest straps as well as covering the wrist tattoos. Apple outlines skin perfusion and rhythmic movements as two other factors that can affect the performance of the Apple Watch’s heart rate sensor.

Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

Via MacRumors, Trusted Reviews and Apple