Can a Smartwatch Monitor Blood Sugar in 2025?

It’s a question I hear all the time from friends and family, and it’s a technology that seems to be just on the horizon. The promise of a smartwatch that can non-invasively monitor blood sugar would be a game-changer for millions of people, especially those with diabetes. But in 2025, where do we stand with this technology? Is there a smartwatch that monitors blood sugar directly from your wrist, or are we still waiting for this futuristic feature to arrive?

The short answer is that as of mid-2025, there is no major smartwatch on the market that can accurately and reliably measure blood glucose levels on its own. While many watches claim to offer this feature, the technology for non-invasive, standalone blood sugar monitoring is still in development. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not authorized, cleared, or approved any smartwatch or smart ring to measure blood glucose values on its own. Any devices on the market that make this claim are not cleared by the FDA and their accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

The Technology Behind Glucose Monitoring

To understand why a smartwatch that monitors blood sugar is so difficult to create, it’s helpful to know the current methods used for accurate glucose measurement. Today, the most reliable methods are:

• Blood Glucose Monitors (BGMs): This is the traditional fingerstick method. You prick your finger, place a drop of blood on a test strip, and the monitor gives you a reading. It’s a snapshot in time.
• Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs): These are wearable devices that use a small sensor inserted just under the skin, usually on the arm or belly. The sensor measures glucose levels in the interstitial fluid, which is the fluid between your cells. This data is then transmitted wirelessly to a smartphone app, receiver, or a compatible device like a smartwatch.

CGMs provide a much more complete picture of glucose levels throughout the day and night compared to a one-time fingerstick test. They can also be set to alert you to high or low glucose levels. Companies like Dexcom and Abbott have been leaders in this space, offering FDA-cleared CGM systems that are widely used.

How Smartwatches Display Glucose Data (Without Measuring It)

This is where the confusion often lies. While a smartwatch cannot measure your blood sugar directly, it can act as a display for data from an FDA-cleared CGM. This is a crucial distinction.

For example, a compatible Apple Watch or Android smartwatch can display real-time glucose data from a Dexcom CGM system. The data is sent from the CGM sensor to your smartphone, and then your smartphone relays that information to your watch. This allows you to check your glucose levels with a quick glance at your wrist, without having to pull out your phone. It’s a fantastic feature for convenience and discretion, but it’s important to remember that the smartwatch itself is not doing the measuring.

The Dexcom G7, for instance, is the first and only glucose monitor that connects directly to an Apple Watch, eliminating the need for your iPhone to be nearby. This is a significant advancement in wearable technology, but it’s still the CGM sensor doing the work, not a built-in sensor on the watch.

The Race for Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring

Many major tech companies are deep in the research and development of non-invasive glucose monitoring. The “holy grail” is to develop a sensor that can measure blood sugar without breaking the skin, likely using a method like optical technology. This involves shining a specific wavelength of light through the skin and analyzing how the glucose molecules absorb it to determine the concentration.

• Samsung has hinted at making progress on an “optically-based continuous glucose monitor” for its Galaxy Watch, but has not provided a launch timeline. The company is “deeply invested” in the technology, but notes that extensive testing and regulatory approval will be necessary before the feature can be brought to market.
• Apple has also been rumored to be working on this for years, with some analysts speculating that non-invasive blood sugar monitoring could be a key feature in a future Apple Watch, possibly as far out as 2027. The company has made no public claims about this technology, but internal efforts are widely believed to be underway.

The main challenge for these companies is achieving the level of accuracy and reliability required for a medical device. The FDA has issued warnings about unauthorized wearables claiming to measure blood glucose, emphasizing the importance of proper regulatory clearance.

Navigating the Market: What to Watch Out For

Given the strong desire for this technology, the market is full of smartwatches and fitness trackers that make misleading claims. You can find many products on sites like Amazon or eBay that advertise “blood sugar monitoring” for prices ranging from $20 to $100. It’s essential to be cautious with these devices.

These inexpensive gadgets are not FDA-cleared and their accuracy is unverified. At best, they provide a very rough estimate; at worst, they provide completely incorrect and potentially dangerous information. For individuals with diabetes, relying on such a device could lead to serious health complications if they make treatment decisions based on false data.

Always remember: If a device is claiming to measure blood glucose without a fingerstick or a separate sensor under the skin, and it is not an FDA-cleared medical device, it is not a reliable source of information for managing your health.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Wearable Health Tech

While a smartwatch that monitors blood sugar directly isn’t a reality for consumers in 2025, the progress is undeniable. The integration of CGMs with smartwatches has already provided a huge leap in convenience for people managing diabetes. This trend of seamless data integration between various health devices is likely to continue.

As companies like Samsung and Apple continue their intensive research, the dream of a truly non-invasive, wrist-based glucose monitor may one day be realized. When it does, it will likely be a well-publicized event, with a strong emphasis on FDA clearance and clinical trial results, not a quiet launch from an unknown brand. For now, the best way to get blood sugar data on your wrist is through a compatible and FDA-cleared CGM system.

To learn more about the leading CGM systems that can integrate with smartwatches, you can check out the official websites for Dexcom and Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre. These resources provide up-to-date information on compatibility and how their devices work.