Evie Summers
The Apple Watch Series 6 and later models can track blood oxygen levels while the user is sleeping. This is done using a bright red light that shines against the wrist. The SleepWatch app can be used to view sleeping blood oxygen results, but the Blood Oxygen app on the Apple Watch can also be used to measure blood oxygen levels on-demand. The Blood Oxygen app is not intended for medical use and is only available in certain countries and regions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature | Blood Oxygen app |
| Apple Watch models supported | Series 6 and later, and any model of Ultra |
| Availability | Only available in certain countries and regions |
| Age restriction | Not available for people under 18 years old |
| Use case | Not intended for medical use |
| Readings | 10-20 SpO2 measurements a night |
| Readings during sleep | Only if the "Track Sleep with Apple Watch" setting is turned on |
| Readings visibility | Bright red light that shines against the wrist, more visible in dark environments |
| Readings accuracy | For best results, the back of the watch needs skin contact |
| Readings accuracy | The watch should be worn not too tight or too loose, with room for the skin to breathe |
What You'll Learn
The Blood Oxygen app
To take a measurement, the user must ensure that their Apple Watch is snug but comfortable on their wrist, with the display facing up. The user should then tap 'Start' on the Blood Oxygen app and hold their arm very still for a 15-second countdown. At the end of the measurement, the user will receive their results. The back of the Apple Watch needs to be in contact with the skin for the best results.
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How to track blood oxygen levels while sleeping
The Blood Oxygen app on your Apple Watch can help you measure your blood oxygen levels while you sleep. This feature is available for Apple Watch Series 6 or later, and any model of Ultra. It is important to note that the Blood Oxygen app is only available in certain countries and regions and is designed for users who are at least 18 years old. The app is not intended for medical use and should not be used for self-diagnosis or consultation with a doctor.
To track your blood oxygen levels while sleeping, make sure you have enabled access to your Blood Oxygen data in Apple Health. You can also turn on background measurements in the Settings app on your Apple Watch. Go to Settings, tap Blood Oxygen, and make sure In Sleep Focus and In Theater Mode are turned on. Additionally, ensure that the "Track Sleep with Apple Watch" setting is enabled.
When you go to bed, simply wear your Apple Watch, and it will automatically track your sleeping blood oxygen levels. The Apple Watch uses a bright red light that shines against your wrist to measure blood oxygen levels, so it may be more visible in dark environments. If you find the light distracting, you can turn off background measurements in the Settings app.
After sleeping with your Apple Watch, you can view your blood oxygen data in the Health app on your iPhone. Tap "Browse," then "Respiratory," and finally, "Blood Oxygen" to access your measurements. You can also use third-party apps, such as SleepWatch or AutoSleep, to track your sleeping blood oxygen levels. These apps may offer additional insights and interpretations of your personal levels.
It is important to note that the accuracy of blood oxygen measurements on the Apple Watch may vary depending on factors such as positioning, ambient light, and movement. While tracking blood oxygen levels while sleeping can provide insights into your overall health and wellness, it is not a definitive indicator of your health status. If you have specific concerns or health conditions, consult a medical professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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Interpreting blood oxygen data
The Blood Oxygen app on your Apple Watch can measure your blood oxygen levels in the background while you sleep, but only if you have the "Track Sleep with Apple Watch" setting turned on. It's important to note that blood oxygen measurements are not intended for medical use and are only meant for general fitness and wellness purposes.
Blood oxygen levels represent the percentage of oxygen your red blood cells carry from your lungs to the rest of your body. Typically, most people have a blood oxygen level between 95-100%. However, it's not uncommon for some individuals to have blood oxygen levels below 95% and still lead a normal life. During sleep, slightly lower values are expected, and some users might experience values below 95%.
The Blood Oxygen app on your Apple Watch will occasionally measure your blood oxygen levels in the background, especially when you are not moving. The number of readings collected each day and the time between these readings will vary depending on your activity level. It's important to understand that even under ideal conditions, your Apple Watch may not always provide a reliable blood oxygen measurement. Factors such as skin perfusion (blood flow through your skin) can impact the measurements, and this varies from person to person and can be influenced by environmental conditions like temperature. Additionally, tattoos on the wrist can also affect the accuracy of the measurements.
To get the most accurate blood oxygen measurements, ensure that your Apple Watch has skin contact and is worn snugly but comfortably on your wrist. The back of the watch should be flush with the top of your wrist. If your wrist bones interfere, try moving the watch slightly up your arm. When taking a measurement, rest your arm on a table or your lap, keeping your wrist flat with the watch display facing up. It's important to remain still during the 15-second countdown.
By understanding the factors that can influence blood oxygen measurements and following the recommended guidelines for taking accurate readings, you can effectively interpret the data provided by your Apple Watch's Blood Oxygen app.
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SleepWatch and AutoSleep apps
The SleepWatch app is a sleep-tracking app that is compatible with Apple Health integration. It accurately tracks your sleep and presents data that is easy to understand. The charts are simple to comprehend, and it's obvious when you're not getting enough sleep, and when you're doing well. The free version of SleepWatch has visual reminders to upgrade to premium, but it is still a good option. The premium version offers a deeper interpretation of your personal levels.
SleepWatch also offers sleeping blood oxygen tracking for users with an Apple Watch Series 6 or later. You can find your sleeping blood oxygen results in the "Today" tab of the SleepWatch iOS app or in the SleepWatch app on your Watch. Note that you will need SleepWatch V 6.16 or later to access this feature.
The AutoSleep app is another sleep-tracking app that is compatible with Apple Health integration. It has no user analytics tracking, no advertising plugins, no third-party code, and no data upload. It also has no extra in-app purchases or subscriptions. The app costs $3 and offers plenty of information to help you make sense of the data and charts. You can adjust your sleep duration goals, and it compares your sleeping heart rate with your non-active waking heart rate.
AutoSleep also includes the following features: Time Asleep, Sleep Rating, Sleep Rings, Apple Sleep Stages, Sleep Apnea, Sleep Blood Oxygen, Respiration Rate, Noise, Sleep Analysis, Sleep Fuel, Tonight's Bedtime, Readiness, Temperature, Sleep Consistency, and Lights Off.
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Apple Watch Series 6 and later
The Blood Oxygen app is supported on Apple Watch Series 6 and later, as well as any model of Ultra. The app uses a bright red light that shines against your wrist to measure the oxygen level of your blood. This may be more visible in darker environments, and you can turn off the measurements in your settings if you find it distracting.
To get a blood oxygen measurement, rest your arm on a table or your lap, ensuring that your wrist is flat with the Apple Watch display facing up. Tap 'Start' and keep your arm very still during the 15-second countdown. At the end of the measurement, you will receive the results. To get the best results, the back of your Apple Watch should be in contact with your skin, and the watch should be worn snugly, with room for your skin to breathe.
Blood oxygen measurements are taken throughout the day if background measurements are turned on. You can also take an on-demand measurement at any time. The number of readings collected each day and the time between these readings will vary depending on your activity levels. All blood oxygen measurements, whether on-demand or in the background, are saved in the Health app on your iPhone.
You can also use third-party apps like SleepWatch and AutoSleep to track your sleeping blood oxygen levels. Simply wear your Apple Watch to bed, and as long as you have enabled access to your Blood Oxygen data in Apple Health, SleepWatch will automatically track your sleeping blood oxygen levels. You can find your results in the "Today" tab of the SleepWatch iOS App or in the SleepWatch app on your Watch. Similarly, AutoSleep will display an SpO2 Report showing your current average along with a 7- and 28-day average so you can accurately track your measurements.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 6 and later can track your blood oxygen levels while you sleep.
You can track your blood oxygen levels while sleeping by enabling access to your Blood Oxygen data in Apple Health. You can also use third-party apps such as SleepWatch or AutoSleep.
You need an Apple Watch Series 6 or newer to track your blood oxygen levels while sleeping as the blood oxygen sensor hardware is only available on newer models.
The Apple Watch Series 6 is accurate at tracking blood oxygen levels while sleeping when positioned well and without any movement. Readings typically directly matched fingertip sensors or were within a single percentage point.
The data from tracking your blood oxygen levels while sleeping can help you understand your overall health and wellness. It can also be used to identify sleep apnea or other respiratory problems. However, it cannot prove that you are healthy, only if there are problems.
