Apple Confirms Tattoos and Apple Watch May Not Play Nice Together

Dark tattoos may interfere with the Apple Watch's ability to capture a person's heart rate, Apple confirmed on the device's product support page.

"Permanent or temporary changes to your skin, such as some tattoos, can also impact heart rate sensor performance. The ink, pattern, and saturation of some tattoos can block light from the sensor, making it difficult to get reliable readings," Apple said.

Earlier this week complaints surfaced this week that the watch wasn't working properly for people with tattoos on their wrists.

Some functions of Apple Watch require direct contact with the skin to work and when it cannot detect the pulse it assumes that it isn't being worn.

For time being, turning off the wrist-detecting function solves the issue but it prevents users from using the Apple Pay.

Users also reported that the device worn on dark tattooed wrist prevented it form receiving notifications.

Apple also noted that Bluetooth-equipped external heart rate monitors, like chest straps, can be connected to the watch to obtain vital readings.