Apple Watch eerily predicts flu and Covid DAYS before symptoms start – users say they had no idea they were getting sick
Apple Watch owners are shocked by the latest update, which can predict illness before symptoms even start.
The device is already being praised for its ability to identify heart problems and detect falls in the elderly.
However, the new Vitals app β available with the latest operating system WatchOS 11 β has been able to predict common diseases, including flu and Covid.
The software analyzes heart rate, respiratory rate, pulse temperature, blood oxygen and sleep duration β to monitor health on a day-to-day basis.
Users have now reported that their Apple Watch has an uncanny ability to detect subtle changes in their body and flag potential health problems.
The new features are part of the WatchOS 11 update – available on Series 8 devices – and launched in September
Reddit user @DaleThomas81 was notified of three outliers that predicted he would become ill in the coming days
The device has long been used by fitness fanatics to monitor health trackers, but the new Vitals app offers much more detail
One Reddit user shared a screenshot of their Vitals data, which showed that a key measurement β ββtheir wrist temperature β was higher than normal.
The app had detected a spike on two consecutive days, triggering an alert.
A notification on the device warned the Reddit user that he was going to get sick.
On the third day, the Reddit user came down with the flu.
The user commented: ‘I woke up today feeling at peace. As evening approaches, I start to feel that old familiar pain in my head. I’m sick.’
They weren’t the only Apple Watch users to notice the amazing new feature.
βI started taking Vitals when it first came out and I’ve gotten sick about twice since then,β one user wrote on Reddit.
‘Both times I knew it a few days in advance and I didn’t feel anything wrong.’
On X, formerly known as Twitter, Rory Evans said: ‘My Apple Watch detected a few things with my vital signs days before I tested positive for Covid!
‘Such smart and very useful technology to have, especially in such a fast-paced world.’
Users were shocked to share the news, as one commented: ‘I didn’t even know the Apple Watch measures wrist temperature until I saw this post…’
Another user said they had the same experience: ‘Mine too, I’m still sick but the watch noticed before me.’
Users also noted that the app identified unusual readings related to their vaccinations before they started feeling side effects.
“My watch knew I wasn’t 100% healthy after my COVID and flu shots because all three vitals (wrist temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate) were outliers and that’s how I knew I wasn’t doing well, great,” claimed one Reddit user .
Apple makes no claims that it can miraculously diagnose or treat medical conditions.
Instead, the company is positioning the app as a tool that allows users to get better context about their health.
Users can then choose to enable notifications if their watch takes measurements outside their normal range.
‘When two or more metrics fall outside their normal range, users can receive a notification along with a message detailing how the changes in these specific metrics may be linked to other aspects of their life, such as elevation changes, alcohol consumption, or even illness’ , says an Apple spokesperson.
‘Vitals uses an algorithm developed based on real-world data from the Apple Heart and Movement Study, research that aims to increase understanding of the links between heart health and physical activity.’