How tattoos affect Apple Watch performance

A stylish, modern man with appropriate tattoos and an expensive smartwatch is a sign of our times. But a problem has suddenly arisen that many people don’t even realize: Apple smartwatches don’t work well with tattoos underneath. But why is this happening, and is there anything you can do about it? Let’s find out in this article.

Contents of the article

Why doesn’t Apple Watch work on hands with tattoos?

This issue was highlighted by users with wrist tattoos. It turns out that the Apple Watch is performing some functions incorrectly, the main one being that the watch constantly locks when positioned over the tattoo. A description of how the Apple Watch’s heart rate sensor works can help explain what’s going on.

Apple Watch uses green LEDs that work in tandem with light-sensitive photodiodes.

These elements help determine the amount of blood flowing through your wrist at any given time. The faster your heart beats, the greater the blood flow in your veins. Consequently, your blood better absorbs the green light emitted by the watch. Apple Watch flashes its LEDs hundreds of times per second, capturing the reflected light and accurately calculating your heart rate based on the collected information.

Additionally, Apple Watch uses red and infrared LEDs to measure blood oxygen levels . Oxygenated cells absorb more infrared light than red light, while deoxygenated cells exhibit the opposite behavior. With this information, algorithms can determine blood oxygen saturation levels.

Apple has learned to use different light spectra to track the user’s blood flow through the skin with maximum precision.

This technology faces a problem with tattoos. Any obstructions to the light’s path that affect the skin’s reflectivity interfere with the sensors’ accuracy. The ink in the skin acts as a barrier, absorbing light pulses. The ink is located in the middle layer of the skin, called the dermis. The sensors rely on the skin to reflect the signal. However, the ink absorbs light better than normal skin. This is what causes problems such as inaccurate measurements and constant device lockups. Because the ink absorbs signals, the watch doesn’t receive any return reflections and assumes it’s not on the wrist. However, natural skin pigmentation doesn’t block light, so dark-skinned people have nothing to worry about.

But the impact of tattoos on Apple Watch has its own nuances. Testing confirmed user reports: readings differed on tattooed areas compared to bare skin. The ink color and shade also play a role. Dark colors and solid fills are the most problematic. The watch displays a heart rate of up to 200 beats per minute, while the actual heart rate is 60. Furthermore, Apple Watch didn’t detect contact with skin. Lighter-colored tattoos, including yellow, purple, and orange, also affected the readings, but to a lesser extent. However, the watch did detect contact with skin. The case of patterns or multicolored ink remains much more uncertain, depending on the type and design of the tattoo, as well as its color.

What features don’t work on Apple Watch for a user with tattoos on their arms?

In addition to incorrectly detecting your heart rate, a watch worn on a hand with a tattoo does not perform the ” Wrist Recognition ” function well.

And this already has serious consequences. The function is simple and straightforward: as soon as the watch is on the wrist, the sensor detects it. The user must enter a password on the device’s screen once, confirming the watch’s correct location. After that, the watch will always function without being locked. However, if wrist detection fails, the device will immediately lock. The user will have to re-enter the password if the watch detects the wrist. “Losing” and “finding” the watch’s location forces the user to repeatedly enter the password on the small on-screen keyboard, which is annoying.

In any case, the watch will continue to function, but will assume it’s no longer on its owner’s wrist. Apple explains the implications of this:

• Each subsequent attempt to use Apple Pay will require you to enter your passcode to confirm the payment after double-clicking the side button.
• Some metrics will become unavailable in the Activity app. Obviously, since the watch isn’t on the wrist, it won’t perform some measurements. There’s no point in measuring distance and overall movement, so the app is simply useless without tracking activity.
• Heart rate tracking and related notifications are disabled.
• In case of a hard fall, the watch will not make an automatic emergency call.
• The Always on Display feature will no longer work .
• The Apple Watch Series 9’s main feature , “Double Tap,” will also not be active.

Which Apple Watch models have the tattoo issue?

Don’t assume this issue has been resolved in the new watch models. Even owners of the very latest Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are experiencing it.

Are smartwatches and fitness trackers from other manufacturers tattoo-free?

This isn’t some kind of engineering error on Apple’s part, present in all of the company’s smartwatch models. The principle of measuring heart rate and detecting the presence of a device on the wrist is the same for all devices of this type, including smartwatches and fitness trackers. So, if they’re used on someone with a tattoo, they’ll all experience exactly the same issues.

These heart rate monitors still emit light and analyze the reflected light using photodiodes. The ink in the skin acts as an absorbing barrier, affecting the readings. Changing the model or manufacturer won’t fundamentally change anything here.

Is there a way to get around the problem of Apple Watch working on hands with tattoos?

Naturally, users have come up with several life hacks that can help with this problem. Those with tattoos shouldn’t panic ahead of time. First, check whether the tattoo even reaches the place where the watch will be placed. In most cases, tattoos are located higher up the arm. It’s recommended to wear the watch on your other wrist if there’s no tattoo there.

Users recommend applying transparent tape, adhesive tape, or glue to the sensor on the back panel. This sticker reflects the signal, making the watch think it’s on the wrist.At the same time, the transparent film allows the green LED signal to pass through, allowing other functions to operate.

However, the layer of ink in your hand is still there, so you can’t rely on the accuracy of your pulse readings. Moreover, this method only works selectively; it’s certainly not universal.More drastic methods include completely disabling the Wrist Detection feature along with all associated functions, as discussed above, or even tattoo removal. Laser ink removal will remove the ink from the skin, eliminating the source of the problem.