Ashwin Lewis
Sleep tracking is an important feature for many people, and Apple has several options for those wanting to monitor their sleep patterns. Apple Watch users can take advantage of the built-in sleep tracker, which is available on WatchOS 8 or later. This feature can track sleep data, including the number of times you breathe in a minute, and the time spent in each sleep stage. For those without an Apple Watch, there are other options, such as the Sleep Cycle app, or using the Health app on your iPhone, which uses motion detection to track sleep.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Track sleep with Apple Watch | Wear your Apple Watch to bed to track your sleep. |
| Track sleep without Apple Watch | Use the Health app on your iPhone, or third-party apps such as Sleep Cycle. |
| Sleep data | View sleep data by week or month, change the time span displayed in the graph, view details for a day, or get cumulative sleep data. |
| Sleep schedule | Set your sleep schedule, including bedtime, wake-up times, and wind-down time. |
| Sleep goals | Set the number of hours you want to sleep. |
| Sleep focus | Reduce distractions by simplifying your Lock Screen and turning on Sleep Focus. |
| Sleep tracking accuracy | For the most accurate results, ensure your Apple Watch is charged to at least 30% before bed, wear it for at least 1 hour, and turn on Charging Reminders. |
| Respiratory rate tracking | With Apple Watch Series 3 or later, you can track your respiratory rate during sleep. |
What You'll Learn
Using an Apple Watch
The Apple Watch has a built-in sleep tracker, which can be used to measure and track your respiratory rate and sleep patterns. To use the sleep tracker, you will need an Apple Watch Series 3 or later with watchOS 8. Ensure that your Apple Watch is charged to at least 30% before you go to bed, with Sleep Tracking enabled.
To set up sleep tracking, open the Health app on your iPhone and tap 'Get Started' under 'Set Up Sleep', then tap 'Next'. From here, you can set your sleep goals, bedtime and wake-up times, and sleep focus. To adjust your wind-down time, tap 'Full Schedule & Options', then 'Wind Down' or 'Sleep Goal' under 'Additional Details'. You can also adjust your sleep schedule in the Sleep app on your Apple Watch.
To view your sleep data, open the Health app on your iPhone or iPad and tap 'Browse' at the bottom of the screen, then tap 'Sleep'. Here, you can view data on recent nights of sleep and edit your sleep schedule. You can also view your sleep history by tapping 'Sleep' in the Summary page of the Health app if you have it saved to your Favourites list.
To ensure that your Apple Watch is tracking your sleep, make sure that 'Track Sleep with Apple Watch' is turned on in the Watch app on your iPhone. Additionally, turn on 'Charging Reminders' so that your watch can notify you to charge it before bedtime if your battery is low.
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Using an iPhone
Yes, you can track your sleep using an iPhone. To do this, you will need to use the Health app, which is available on all iPhones.
Firstly, open the Health app on your iPhone. Tap 'Get Started' under 'Set Up Sleep', then tap 'Next'. You will then need to follow the on-screen prompts to set up your sleep tracking. You will be asked to set your sleep goals, including the number of hours you would like to spend asleep, as well as your desired bedtime and wake-up times. You can also set up your Sleep Focus, which will reduce distractions on your iPhone by simplifying your Lock Screen when it is time for bed.
Once you have set up your sleep tracking, you can view your sleep data by opening the Health app and looking for the Sleep section. Here, you can view your sleep history for the past day, week, month, or even the past six months. You can also view the time and percentage you spent awake or in REM, Core, or Deep sleep. Additionally, you can see your heart rate and respiratory rate in relation to your time spent asleep.
If you have an Apple Watch, you can also use it to track your sleep and view your sleep data on your iPhone. To do this, make sure your Apple Watch is charged to at least 30% before bed and enable Sleep Tracking. Wear your Apple Watch to bed for at least one hour, and it will automatically track your sleep. You can then view your sleep data in the Health app on your iPhone.
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Using third-party apps
While the Apple Watch is a popular device for tracking sleep, there are several third-party apps that can help you monitor your sleep patterns and duration on your iPhone. These apps provide insights into your sleep habits and can help you set and achieve sleep goals. Here are some of the options available:
Sleep Cycle
The Sleep Cycle app is a well-known sleep tracking app that can be used on your iPhone. It tracks your sleep patterns, duration, and sleep stages, providing detailed insights into your sleep habits. The app can be downloaded from the App Store, and it offers a range of features to help you understand and improve your sleep.
Pillow
Another option is the Pillow app, which is designed to help you improve your sleep quality. It tracks your sleep patterns and provides detailed sleep analysis, including heart rate monitoring and snoring detection. The app also offers customised recommendations to help you optimise your sleep environment and routine.
SleepWatch
SleepWatch is a sleep tracking app that uses the Apple Health app to collect and analyse your sleep data. It provides a comprehensive sleep analysis, including sleep duration, efficiency, and heart rate variability. The app also offers personalised insights and recommendations to help you improve your sleep quality.
AutoSleep
AutoSleep is a popular sleep tracking app that automatically tracks your sleep based on your iPhone usage. It provides detailed sleep reports, including sleep duration, efficiency, and heart rate analysis. The app also offers customised tips and recommendations to help you improve your sleep habits.
To use these third-party apps effectively, it is important to grant the necessary permissions, such as accessing motion sensors and background app refresh. Additionally, it is recommended to charge your iPhone before going to bed to ensure that the apps can track your sleep throughout the night without interruptions.
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Understanding sleep data
Sleep data provides insight into your sleep habits. To obtain sleep data, you can use a sleep tracker or monitor, or manually add the data. To view your sleep history, open the Health app on your iPhone or iPad. If you're on your iPhone, tap Browse at the bottom of the screen. If you're on your iPad, tap the sidebar to open it. Tap Sleep. If you have Sleep saved as a favorite, you can access it from the Summary page in the Health app. The bar graph is set to "D" for a daily view by default. 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. Tap "Show More Sleep Data" and select a category to review additional sleep details. You can view the time and percentage you spent awake or in REM, core, or deep sleep.
You can also view your sleep data on your Apple Watch. 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. You can also see this information at any time by visiting the Sleep app on your watch or the Sleep section of the Health app on your phone.
If you have an Apple Watch Series 8 or later, or any model of Apple Watch Ultra, you can also compare changes in your nightly wrist temperature data. With an Apple Watch Series 3 or later with watchOS 8, you can measure and track your Respiratory Rate. With Track Sleep turned on, your Apple Watch will automatically measure and record the number of times you breathe in a minute when you wear it to bed. To view your Respiratory Rate, open the Health app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap Browse at the bottom of the screen. Tap Respiratory, then tap Respiratory Rate.
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Setting sleep goals
- Open the Health app on your iPhone.
- Tap 'Browse' at the bottom right of the screen, then tap 'Sleep'.
- If this is your first time using the feature, tap on 'Get Started'.
- Under 'Your Schedule', tap 'Full Schedule & Options'.
- Tap 'Sleep Goal' under 'Additional Details' and select the amount of time you'd like to sleep in hours and minutes.
- Use the + and - buttons to adjust the time.
- Tap 'Wind Down' to set a period before your bedtime to start reducing distractions and focus on getting ready for bed.
- After setting your sleep goal, you can adjust your bedtime and wake-up times in your Sleep Schedule to ensure you're getting enough sleep to meet your goal.
- You can also set up additional schedules, such as a weekday and weekend schedule, with different bedtimes and wake-up times for each.
- Once you have set up your sleep schedule, you can turn on 'Sleep Focus' to reduce distractions on your iPhone and Apple Watch. This simplifies your Lock Screen and turns on Do Not Disturb at your scheduled bedtime.
- You can also give certain people or apps permission to notify you, even with Sleep Focus turned on.
You can also track your sleep using your Apple Watch. Here is how you can set it up:
- Make sure your Apple Watch has the latest version of watchOS.
- Ensure your Apple Watch is charged to at least 30% before bed, with Sleep Tracking turned on.
- Wear your Apple Watch to bed for at least 1 hour.
- Turn on 'Track Sleep with Apple Watch' in the Watch app on your iPhone.
- Turn on 'Charging Reminders' so your Watch can notify you to charge it before bedtime if your battery is low.
- To see your sleep data on your Apple Watch, scroll down from the main watch face and tap on the card in your Smart Stack to open the Sleep app.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can track your sleep with an Apple phone. The Health app on iPhone can help you set a sleep goal and create a customized sleep schedule. You can also use the Sleep Cycle app to track your sleep.
To set up sleep tracking on your Apple phone, open the Health app and tap "Browse" at the bottom of the screen. Then, tap "Sleep" and follow the prompts to set up your sleep schedule and goals.
Yes, you can track your sleep with an Apple Watch. The Apple Watch has a built-in sleep tracker that can be accessed through the Sleep app. To ensure accurate tracking, make sure your watch is charged to at least 30% before bed, with Sleep Tracking enabled.
