How Apple Watch 3 Tracks Your Sleep Stages

The Apple Watch Series 3 can track sleep stages, but it has certain limitations. To track sleep, the Apple Watch must be enabled with sleep tracking and worn for at least an hour each night. It can then estimate the time spent in REM, Core, and Deep sleep stages, as well as respiratory rate. However, it does not summarise data as effectively as competitors and cannot diagnose sleep conditions.

Apple Watch 3 can track sleep stages with watchOS 8 or later

The Apple Watch Series 3 can track sleep stages with watchOS 8 or later. To track your sleep, you must first enable "Sleep Focus" and "Track Sleep with Apple Watch" in the settings. You can also set up charging reminders so that your watch will notify you to charge it before bedtime if the battery is low.

It is important to note that your watch needs to be charged to at least 30% before bed and worn snugly for sleep tracking to work. Additionally, you must wear your Apple Watch for at least one hour each night. When you wake up, you can open the Sleep app on your watch or the Health app on your iPhone to view your sleep data. The Sleep app will show you how much sleep you got, your sleep stages, sleep trends over the last 14 days, and your sleep schedule settings.

With watchOS 8, your Apple Watch Series 3 can measure and track your respiratory rate while you sleep. This feature can provide insights into your overall health. The watch uses your movements and phone usage to detect whether you are sleeping and to estimate the time spent in each sleep stage: REM, Core, and Deep sleep.

While the Apple Watch Series 3 can track your sleep stages, it may not provide the same level of insight or data interpretation as other sleep tracking devices or third-party apps. However, it can still help you create a sleep routine and cultivate better sleep habits.

It can estimate the time spent in REM, Core, and Deep sleep

The Apple Watch can track your sleep and estimate the time spent in REM, Core, and Deep sleep. This is done by using the Sleep app on the watch, which will record the amount of time spent in each sleep stage. The Sleep app can be used to set up sleep schedules and reminders for charging, and it will also automatically detect when you are asleep and when you wake up.

To use the Sleep app, you must first enable 'Track Sleep with Apple Watch' and ensure your watch is charged to at least 30% before you go to bed. The watch should be worn snugly on your wrist and for at least one hour each night to accurately track your sleep. When you wake up, you can open the Sleep app to see how much sleep you got and view your sleep trends over the last 14 days.

The Sleep app can also be used to set up a sleep schedule, including a sleep goal, bedtime and wake-up times, and a wind-down period. You can also enable Sleep Focus, which limits distractions before you go to bed and protects your sleep after you are in bed. Additionally, you can give certain people or apps permission to notify you during your Sleep Focus time.

The Apple Watch can also help track your breathing rate as you sleep, which can provide insights into your overall health. This feature is available on the Apple Watch Series 3 or newer with watchOS 8 or newer. With watchOS 9, Apple added sleep stages to its tracking suite, allowing users to analyze when they were in REM, Core, or Deep Sleep and when they were awake throughout the night.

The watch must be snug and charged above 30% to track sleep

To track your sleep using an Apple Watch, your watch must be snug on your wrist and charged to at least 30% before you go to bed. If your watch is too loose, the accelerometer may register too much movement during your natural sleep, which can affect the accuracy of your results.

You can set up charging reminders on your Apple Watch to ensure that it is charged above 30% when you go to bed. To do this, open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap the My Watch tab. Then, tap Sleep and turn on Charging Reminders. This will prompt your Apple Watch to remind you to charge your watch before your wind-down time and notify you when your watch is fully charged.

If your Apple Watch is charged below 30% before bed, you will be prompted to charge it. However, some users have reported that their Apple Watch did not record their sleep even when it was charged above 30%. Therefore, it is recommended to ensure that your watch is charged above this threshold before bed to increase the likelihood of successful sleep tracking.

In addition to ensuring that your Apple Watch is snug and charged, you must also enable sleep tracking and wear your watch for at least one hour each night. To enable sleep tracking, open the Health app on your iPhone and tap Get Started under Set Up Sleep. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to set up your sleep goals, bedtime, and wake-up times.

Sleep data can be viewed on the Health app on iPhone or iPad

The Apple Watch Series 3 or newer can track your sleep. To do so, you must first enable "Track Sleep with Apple Watch" in the settings. You should also ensure your Apple Watch is charged to at least 30% before you go to bed.

Once you have worn your watch to bed, you can view your sleep data on the Health app on your iPhone or iPad. To do this, open the Health app and tap Browse at the bottom of the screen. Then, tap Sleep. If you have Sleep saved as a favourite, you can access it from the Summary page in the Health app.

The bar graph is set to daily by default, but you can tap 'W' at the top of the chart to view your sleep history for the past week, 'M' for the past month, or '6M' for the past six months. You can also tap 'Show More Sleep Data' and select a category to review additional sleep details. This includes the time and percentage you spent awake or in REM, Core, or Deep sleep.

You can also view your sleep data on the Apple Watch itself. To do so, open the Sleep app on your watch, then turn the Digital Crown to view your Sleep Stages data, Time Asleep, and your Sleep Duration for the last 14 days.

Apple Watch sleep tracking does not offer insights or data interpretation

The Apple Watch can track sleep and provide data on sleep duration and quality. However, it does not offer in-depth insights or data interpretation. While the watch can help users understand their rest patterns, it does not provide a detailed analysis of sleep data.

The Apple Watch's sleep tracking features include monitoring sleep stages and duration. The device can track the amount of time spent in each sleep stage, including REM, Core, and Deep sleep. It can also detect signs of sleep apnea, which could potentially save lives. Additionally, the watch can track breathing rate and nightly wrist temperature, which can provide insights into overall health.

However, the insights and data interpretation offered by the Apple Watch are limited. While it provides basic information about sleep stages and duration, it does not offer a detailed analysis or interpretation of this data. The Apple Watch's sleep tracking is described as "undeniably basic" compared to other brands, such as Oura and Google Fitbit. These rival brands have offered detailed sleep stage tracking for a longer period and provide more comprehensive insights into REM, deep, and light sleep.

Apple Watch users seeking more in-depth insights and data interpretation may need to explore third-party apps or alternative sleep tracking devices. While the Apple Watch can provide a decent amount of data on the Sleep app, it may not be sufficient for those who want a more comprehensive understanding of their sleep patterns. Third-party apps can be used to record and analyze sleep data with greater depth, offering more detailed insights and interpretations.

In summary, while the Apple Watch can track sleep and provide basic data and insights, it does not offer extensive data interpretation or in-depth insights. Users seeking a more comprehensive understanding of their sleep patterns may need to explore alternative options, such as dedicated sleep tracking devices or third-party apps that offer more advanced sleep analysis features.

Frequently asked questions