Apple Working With Health Canada to Bring Apple Watch Series 4's ECG Functionality to Canadian Market

Apple says it is working with Health Canada to bring the Apple Watch Series 4's all-new ECG functionality to the Canadian market, according to MobileSyrup's Patrick O'Rourke. No timeframe was specified.

apple watch ecg canada
This likely means that Apple has submitted an application with Health Canada for clearance to sell the Apple Watch Series 4 with the ECG functionality enabled. Health Canada has similar requirements as the FDA in the United States for medical devices to be sold in the country.

In the meantime, Apple says the ECG functionality will be limited to the United States, where it has received clearance from the FDA. However, the ECG app for watchOS 5 won't be available until later this year.

Apple Watch Series 4 models include a new electrical sensor on the rear that's designed to take an electrocardiogram using Apple's ECG app, the built-in sensor, and the electrode built into the Digital Crown. This allows the Watch to display a single-channel ECG, similar to a Lead I ECG, according to the FDA.

To take an ECG reading from the Apple Watch, users will need to place a finger on the Digital Crown while wearing the watch. The reading is completed in 30 seconds, allowing users to determine whether their hearts are beating in a regular pattern or if there are signs of atrial fibrillation.

As a potentially life-saving feature, Apple surely wants the ECG functionality to be available in as many countries as possible, so it's likely the company is working with public health agencies in other countries too.

Via: iPhone in Canada

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Tags: Canada, ECG
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Foldable Thumb

First Foldable iPhone Design Details Revealed

Monday February 2, 2026 7:19 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone will feature relocated volume buttons, an all-black camera plateau, a smaller Dynamic Island, and more, according to design leaks from a known Weibo leaker. The user known as "Instant Digital" today claimed to share several key details about the design of the foldable iPhone: The volume buttons will be located on the top edge of the device, aligned to the...

Top Rated Comments

zorinlynx Avatar
96 months ago
Why can't they just enable it with a disclaimer "This is not legally a medical device." in the countries where it doesn't have approval as a medical device?
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
twistedpixel8 Avatar
96 months ago
Don't think it's anything to do with the NHS - Apple will be trying to get EU approval at which point it will have been approved throughout the EU.
Which had better happen before the end of March 2019 or it will be down to the useless UK government who will debate it for 20 years.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kiranmk2 Avatar
96 months ago
I
I doubt UK (NHS) will sign up for this in a hurry, but I personally would welcome it. Take up of AW4 could be more subdued in countries were this key feature is not implemented.
Don't think it's anything to do with the NHS - Apple will be trying to get EU approval at which point it will have been approved throughout the EU.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheManOfSilver Avatar
96 months ago
If people are interested, you can follow new Health Canada device approvals at the following RSS feed:
https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/hc-sc/migration/hc-sc/rss/dhp-mps/devices-instruments-eng.xml
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BvizioN Avatar
96 months ago
Don't think it's anything to do with the NHS - Apple will be trying to get EU approval at which point it will have been approved throughout the EU.
If so, they better hurry up and do it before March 19.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
johnyslats Avatar
96 months ago
I’ll be trying the region trick as soon as it appears in the developer beta (UK)
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)