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ECG outside US - solutions wanted!
- Thread starter BrianDK
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Just received my US Apple Watch S4 GPS in Canada. ECG works perfectly. I did not need to change the region on the watch or phone. Linked the watch to the phone, updated to watchOS 5.1.2 and ECG app was ready to go. Already did 4 ECGs with no issues.
Sorry to say that is the only solution. Now to sell my Canadian model.
Sorry to say that is the only solution. Now to sell my Canadian model.
Given that both US and non-US models of Apple Watch Series 4 run the same build of WatchOS 5, it's probably safe to assume that the ECG app is installed on all devices running version 5.1.2 or above. My guess is that on non-US models the app is simply hidden and launch methods disabled.
Although I haven't tested these methods yet, it may be possible to use something like Siri to bypass launch restrictions, or you could probably dig through your Watch's backup archives and modify plist files to re-enable the ECG app.
I'd say backup modifications are probably your best bet. Apple Watch backups should be embedded within your iPhone backups made via iTunes. Something like iExplorer or iMazing can uncompress iPhone backup archives and modify plists within them. Then there's the case of locating the correct file that determines what apps are available on the watch, altering the correct value, and then restoring the backup to the iPhone. Once restored, you'd then have to unpair the Watch and restore that from your modified backup.
Of course, this is all theoretical and I can't personally test it because I don't have access to my PC right now
Update:
Simply telling Siri "Open ECG" on the Watch doesn't work. I'll try messing around with Siri Shortcuts and see if I can try launching ECG via URL schemes or something. No promises though.
Although I haven't tested these methods yet, it may be possible to use something like Siri to bypass launch restrictions, or you could probably dig through your Watch's backup archives and modify plist files to re-enable the ECG app.
I'd say backup modifications are probably your best bet. Apple Watch backups should be embedded within your iPhone backups made via iTunes. Something like iExplorer or iMazing can uncompress iPhone backup archives and modify plists within them. Then there's the case of locating the correct file that determines what apps are available on the watch, altering the correct value, and then restoring the backup to the iPhone. Once restored, you'd then have to unpair the Watch and restore that from your modified backup.
Of course, this is all theoretical and I can't personally test it because I don't have access to my PC right now
Update:
Simply telling Siri "Open ECG" on the Watch doesn't work. I'll try messing around with Siri Shortcuts and see if I can try launching ECG via URL schemes or something. No promises though.
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Good to know.
From what I can gather, the sole gatekeeper is that watchOS 5.1.2 or later unlocks the ECG function probably based on a whitelist of a hardware identifier, limited thus far to hardware originating in the US.
I may be purchasing an S4 for someone overseas, so I guess the only thing I may have to do is verify that it is running 5.1.2, but even if I don't, an update from anywhere else will still make it work.
My only worry is that at some point, Apple could tighten things up, and add additional safeguards. But OTOH, as medicines freely travel between borders, regardless of government approval, a diagnostic feature on a gadget is minor in comparison.
I've been told the country that person is in has only just started to recruit testers for certification, so it will likely be some time before the process is complete.
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Is an ecg that useful? I can't possibly imagine that's little more than a toy. When I've had an ecg at a hospital they stick a dozen electrodes all over. Surely an Apple Watch can't give as good a diagnosis.
Obviously I know nothing about how these thngs work and an Apple Watch might be as good as the machines they have at hospital (I bet it isn't!).
Obviously I know nothing about how these thngs work and an Apple Watch might be as good as the machines they have at hospital (I bet it isn't!).
It is not used for diagnostic purposes, but to give you a warning sign that something might be wrong. The Apple watch is about 95-97% accurate in detecting the most common heart diseases. That’ll save your life if something is really wrong, and costst you nothing when it turns out to be nothing when checking it at the hospital.
So the benefits outweigh the costs my opinion...
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That's a gross overstatement. It is 95-97% accurate in detecting atrial fibrillation only. It does not claim to detect any other "heart diseases".
It doesn't necessary save your life to detect afib. Costs you nothing for a visit except for a copay but does cost your insurance(which is passed along to everyone else).
There is a solution step 1- back up ur I phone first
Step 2-Reset ur I phone and ur Apple watch
Step3 - Then change region to us both in ur Apple watch and I phone ....then open health app n see the magic
With all your ( and only questions about ECG in this forum), about India ECG availability, you should have know your statement is FALSE
only apple watches sold in the US with the US code, have the ECG feature.
I have seen this trick in YouTube that's why am saying this here is the linkWith all your ( and only questions about ECG in this forum), about India ECG availability, you should have know your statement is FALSE
only apple watches sold in the US with the US code, have the ECG feature.
Have you read any of the comments ?
it does not work, he has an US apple watch, and his vid is clickbait.
With the serial number system implemented by apple, makes sure there is no other way to install ECG function on non approved watches, and only if India approves this, only then will it have the ECG function.
your only option is to buy an ECG country approved watch, and at the moment that is only the US
I have a question does US cellular watch will work in india ????With the serial number system implemented by apple, makes sure there is no other way to install ECG function on non approved watches, and only if India approves this, only then will it have the ECG function.
your only option is to buy an ECG country approved watch, and at the moment that is only the US
The cellular function won't work in India. The LTE bands are not supported. You need to buy AW cellular from some other country. See https://www.apple.com/watch/cellular/#table1
I don’t have any solution. When I bought my Apple Watch, just 4 days before coming to the US, I had the impression the ECG delays would be days or a few weeks but last I heard Apple hadn’t even applied to “Health Canada” or what ever the department it’s called, to get Canadian approval. I feel ripped off and disappointed in how Apple doesn’t keep us updated on their plans. Maybe they don’t plan to expand outside the US. Please post any Rumours..
[doublepost=1549208240][/doublepost]The lesson learned is that we, outside the US, have to wait buying new products until all promissed apps and capabilities are available to us. We have been fooled by Tim Cook once, for my part - this was one step too far - BAD moove Tim Cook
I’m from Canada and disappointed as well but not surprised. When the AW4 was first released the ECG was only ever mentioned on the Apple US site and there was no mention of it on the Canada site. Even today there is no mention of it on the Canada site. Only mentions health things like monitoring your heart rate for problems and then shows pulse rate pictures. It likely will never come to Canada which is of course really disappointing for all those that would benefit from it. For me it would just be a gimmick that would be played with a few times and then forgot about.
Tim Cook cannot release a product like this until it receives the necessary approval in your country. This has nothing to do with Tim Cook.
Actually it does because according to an Engadget article, Canada claims they haven’t been approached by Apple for approval yet.