Apple has brought its AFib History feature to Apple Watch users in mainland China, expanding health monitoring capabilities in the world's second-largest market. The feature, available in the U.S. since 2022, allows users diagnosed with atrial fibrillation to track irregular heart rhythms, marking Apple's continued push into digital health services across different regulatory environments.

The AFib History feature analyzes pulse rate data collected by the Apple Watch's photoplethysmography sensor to detect episodes consistent with atrial fibrillation. It provides retrospective estimates of AFib burden, showing users the amount of time spent in this irregular rhythm during past wear. Apple specifically designed the feature for adults aged 22 or older who have received a physician diagnosis.

The delayed launch in China stems from regulatory requirements for medical functions. Features like ECG and AFib tracking typically require approval from China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) before deployment. Despite the regulatory hurdles, these health monitoring capabilities remain available to Apple Watch owners in over 150 countries globally.