Miya Pearson
Sleep tracking is an important feature for many people, with 10% of adults in the United States regularly using a sleep-tracking device. The Apple Watch can be used to track sleep, with apps like SleepWatch, which can be downloaded from the App Store, and the Apple Clock App. The Apple Watch's state-of-the-art sensors can estimate sleep patterns, heart rate, and movement, and track sleep stages and cycles. However, it is not 100% accurate, and deep sleep can be difficult to track.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Track sleep | Yes |
| Track sleep with | SleepWatch app, Apple Clock App, Sleep app |
| Track sleep on | Apple Watch Series 2 or higher |
| Track sleep by | Using state-of-the-art sensors to estimate sleep patterns |
| Track sleep data | Time spent in each sleep stage, sleep duration, sleep history, sleep deficit, sleep rhythm, sleep stages and cycles, sleep quality, sleep average, sleep details, sleep goals, bedtime and wake-up times, sleep focus, wind-down time, sleep schedule, sleep history, sleep data, sleep stages data, time asleep, sleep duration, nightly wrist temperature data, sleep measurements, sleep problems, sleep apnea, sleep cycles, sleep quality, sleep trends, sleep stage tracking, sleep tracking accuracy |
| Track sleep with Apple Watch by | Wearing the watch to bed |
| Track sleep by wearing Apple Watch | Loosely or tightly |
| Track sleep by turning on | Sleep Focus, Charging Reminders, Track Sleep with Apple Watch |
| Track sleep by turning off | Sleep Focus, full schedule, respiratory rate |
| Track sleep by adjusting | Wind down and sleep goal |
What You'll Learn
SleepWatch app
The SleepWatch app is a sleep-tracking app that can be used with an Apple Watch or iPhone. It can also be used with a smartphone without an Apple Watch, although the Apple Watch provides more detailed insights. The app is free to download and use, but most of its functions, such as sleep scores, smart alarms, and ongoing sleep analysis, require a paid subscription.
SleepWatch allows users to track their sleep patterns, monitor their sleep quality, and receive personalized tips and recommendations to improve their sleep. It can record sleep sounds, such as snoring, coughing, and flatulence, and provide insights into sleep habits and behaviours. The app can also be used to set sleep goals, bedtime, and wake-up times, and it integrates with the Apple Health App to log sleep history and times.
SleepWatch uses motion detection and heart rate monitoring to track sleep when the Apple Watch is worn to bed. It can also track breathing rate and blood oxygen levels during sleep, providing insights into overall health. The app offers a "SleepWatch Score," representing sleep quality in an easy-to-track number. It also provides adaptive bedtime suggestions and a smart alarm to wake users during a light state of sleep.
Users can record their pre-bedtime behaviours and track daily activities and lifestyle choices that impact their sleep. SleepWatch also offers a customizable white noise library and sleep coaching software to help improve sleep quality.
Overall, SleepWatch provides a comprehensive set of tools and insights to help users understand and improve their sleep habits and quality.
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Apple Watch accuracy
The Apple Watch can be used to track sleep. It is equipped with state-of-the-art sensors that can estimate sleep patterns. The SleepWatch app can be used to track sleep automatically. The Apple Clock App also allows users to track sleep manually.
The accuracy of the Apple Watch's sleep tracking has been questioned by some users, who have reported inconsistencies in the data. For example, one user reported that their Apple Watch recorded only 7 minutes of deep sleep, while their Xiaomi Band 7 recorded 1 hour to 1 hour 40 minutes of deep sleep. Another user reported that their Apple Watch recorded 46 minutes of deep sleep, while AutoSleep claimed 2.5 hours. However, others have found the Apple Watch to be more accurate than other sleep tracking devices. One study found that the Apple Watch was the best performer when compared to 37 other devices, and another study found that it showed substantial agreement with polysomnography.
The accuracy of sleep tracking devices in general has been questioned, as no app or watch can accurately measure sleep stages. They all use different algorithms to make their best guess. To accurately measure sleep, you would need something to track your eyes and brainwaves.
The Apple Watch sleep tracking feature has been found to be useful for regulating sleep time and feeling more rested during the day. It can track how long you sleep and wake you up with an alarm. It can also track your breathing rate while you sleep, which can give you insight into your overall health.
To use the sleep tracking feature on the Apple Watch, users must set up a sleep schedule and general settings, such as a sleep goal, bedtime, and wake-up time. Users can also enable "Sleep Focus," which limits distractions before bed and protects sleep after you are in bed.
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Sleep tracking setup
The Apple Watch can be used to track sleep. Here is how to set it up:
Pairing with iPhone
Firstly, you need to pair your Apple Watch with your iPhone. This is required to use the Track Sleep with Apple Watch feature. If you have already set up your Apple Watch, you can still turn on this feature later.
Setting up Sleep Tracking
Next, you need to set up sleep tracking. If you have never set up sleep tracking before, you should see a screen that says 'Set Up Sleep'. Select the 'Get Started' button and follow the on-screen prompts to set up your sleep goals, bedtime and wake-up times, Sleep Focus, and Track Sleep with Apple Watch.
Adjusting your sleep schedule
You can adjust your sleep schedule on your iPhone or Apple Watch. Open the Health app, tap Browse at the bottom of the screen, then tap Sleep. Tap Full Schedule & Options, then tap Wind Down or Sleep Goal under Additional Details. Adjust your time, then tap to save your changes.
Sleep Focus
Sleep Focus limits distractions before you go to bed and protects your sleep after you're in bed. You can turn Sleep Focus on and off by pressing the Digital Crown to go to the watch face, pressing the side button to open Control Centre, and then tapping. You can also create multiple sleep schedules—for example, one for weekdays and another for weekends.
Charging Reminders
It is recommended to turn on Charging Reminders to remind you to charge your watch before your wind-down time. If your Apple Watch is charged less than 30% before you go to bed, you will be prompted to charge it.
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Sleep tracking alternatives
Sleep tracking can be a useful tool to increase awareness of your sleep patterns and encourage a healthy sleep behaviour. It can help you establish a bedtime routine and improve your sleep quality. However, it is not for everyone. Some doctors and specialists have warned that tracking sleep can increase anxiety and do more harm than good.
If you are looking for alternatives to the Apple Watch for sleep tracking, there are several options available:
- Smart Rings: These are designed to be worn on your finger and often come with health-tracking features. The Oura Ring 4, for example, is a popular choice that provides insights into sleep efficiency, restfulness, readiness, and more. It also has impressive battery life and a lightweight, comfortable fit. The Whoop 4.0 Band is another option that offers in-depth sleep information and personalised recommendations, such as when to go to bed and mindful breathing techniques.
- Smartwatches: Smartwatches from other brands, such as the Pixel Watch, can also track sleep. The Pixel Watch offers a Sleep Score out of 100 and provides information on sleep stages and blood oxygen saturation throughout the night.
- Mattress Accessories: If you prefer not to wear a device, there are sleep-tracking accessories designed to be placed under or on your mattress. The Eight Sleep Pod 4 Cover and Hub, for example, is a mattress cover that regulates your temperature. It provides a sleep score and charts showing sleep stages, health metrics, and sleep latency.
- Bedside Devices: There are also devices designed to stay by your bedside while you sleep. These can include features such as sleep tracking, alarm clocks, and white noise machines.
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Sleep tracking and health
Sleep tracking is an important feature for many people when it comes to smartwatches. The Apple Watch is no exception, and Apple has been working on improving its sleep tracking capabilities.
The Apple Watch can be used to track sleep. The watch is equipped with state-of-the-art sensors to estimate sleep patterns while you wear it. The Sleep app on the Apple Watch can be used to see the amount of sleep you got the night before, the time spent in each sleep stage, and your sleep average over the last 14 days. The Sleep app can also be used to set up a sleep schedule, with options to set a sleep goal, bedtime, and wake-up times. The watch can also be used to track breathing rate during sleep, which can give insights into overall health.
To get the most accurate results, it is recommended to turn on Charging Reminders, which will remind users to charge the watch before bedtime. It is also important to ensure that the watch fits comfortably and securely, as a loose watch may register too much movement during sleep. Additionally, users can enable 'Do Not Disturb' and 'Theater Mode' to prevent notifications and keep the screen dark during sleep.
The Apple Watch's sleep tracking has been compared to that of the Fitbit, with some users reporting that the Apple Watch provides more accurate data. However, it is important to note that sleep tracking on the Apple Watch may not be 100% accurate, especially for deep sleep, which is challenging to track accurately. Nevertheless, the Apple Watch is still considered one of the most accurate wearable devices for sleep tracking.
Overall, the Apple Watch's sleep tracking capabilities can be a useful tool for regulating sleep time and improving overall health and well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Apple Watch can be used to track sleep. It is equipped with the necessary hardware to estimate sleep patterns while you wear it.
You can track your sleep by using third-party apps such as SleepWatch or by using the built-in Sleep app on watchOS 8 or later.
The Apple Watch uses motion and heart rate sensors to detect when you are asleep. It can also measure your respiratory rate and nightly wrist temperature.
The Apple Watch sleep tracking is considered to be fairly accurate, but it is not perfect. It is best used as a reference device to track your sleep over a large span of time.
