How Apple Watches Track Sleep: Series 3 Edition

The Apple Watch Series 3 can track your sleep if it is paired with an iPhone. The Health app on the iPhone can help you set a sleep goal and create a customized sleep schedule. To track your sleep, you need to wear your Apple Watch to bed, and it will automatically measure and record the number of times you breathe in a minute. However, it is important to note that the Apple Watch Series 3 cannot track sleep stages such as REM, Core, and Deep sleep. For more detailed sleep tracking, including sleep stages, a newer Apple Watch model with WatchOS 9 or later is required.

Apple Watch Series 3 sleep tracking

The Apple Watch Series 3 does have sleep-tracking capabilities. However, it is important to note that this feature requires a specific setup and certain conditions to function effectively.

Firstly, to enable sleep tracking, you need to pair your Apple Watch with your iPhone. This can be done during the initial setup, or you can turn on sleep tracking later if you pair your devices after the fact. Once paired, you can set up sleep tracking by accessing the Sleep App on your Apple Watch or the Health App on your iPhone. In the Health App, you can set up your sleep schedule, including your bedtime and wake-up times. You can also enable the Sleep Mode on your Apple Watch by swiping up from the Clock screen and selecting the Do Not Disturb icon, followed by Sleep.

However, it is worth mentioning that the Apple Watch Series 3 has limitations when it comes to sleep tracking. It can provide basic information about sleep duration and trends, but it may not offer detailed insights into sleep stages, such as REM, Core, and Deep Sleep. This is because the Series 3 watchOS version may not support advanced sleep tracking features. Newer Apple Watch models with watchOS 9 and above provide more comprehensive sleep data, including temperature sensors for tracking wrist temperature, which can be useful for overall health and cycle tracking.

Additionally, some users have reported issues with the Apple Watch Series 3 not appearing as a data source for sleep tracking in the Health App, even when the Sleep Mode and sleep tracking toggles are turned on. In such cases, it is recommended to reach out to Apple Support for further assistance.

While the Apple Watch Series 3 can provide basic sleep tracking information, it may not offer the same level of insight as dedicated sleep tracking devices or third-party apps. If you are seeking more detailed sleep analysis, you may consider exploring alternative options or using supplementary third-party apps specifically designed for sleep tracking.

Sleep schedule setup

To set up a sleep schedule on your Apple Watch Series 3, you will need to pair it with your iPhone and use the Health app.

Firstly, open the Health app on your iPhone and tap 'Get Started' under 'Set Up Sleep'. Then, tap 'Next'.

Now, you can set your sleep goals and bedtime and wake-up times. Set the number of hours you would like to spend asleep and when you would like to go to bed and wake up.

If you have already set up your Apple Watch, you can still turn on sleep tracking. To do this, open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap the ''My Watch' tab, then tap 'Sleep'. Finally, tap 'Track Sleep with Apple Watch' to turn on this setting.

It is important to note that the Apple Watch Series 3 has limited sleep tracking capabilities. It can only track the basic duration of sleep and trends, such as total time sleeping and breathing patterns. It cannot track specific sleep stages, such as REM, Core, and Deep sleep. For more advanced sleep tracking features, you would need a newer model of the Apple Watch that is compatible with watchOS 9 or later.

Sleep tracking with third-party apps

The Apple Watch Series 3 can track your sleep with the Sleep app. To do this, you must first set up sleep tracking during the initial setup by pairing your Apple Watch with your iPhone. If you have paired your Apple Watch after setup, you can still turn on sleep tracking later.

To track your sleep, wear your Apple Watch to bed. Make sure your Apple Watch is charged to at least 30% before bed and has Sleep Tracking enabled. You can also set up your sleep schedule on your iPhone in the Health app. In the Health app, you can set the number of hours you would like to sleep, your bedtime, and your wake-up time. You can also enable Sleep Focus, which reduces distractions on your iPhone and Apple Watch by simplifying your Lock Screen.

With an Apple Watch Series 3 or later with watchOS 8, you can measure and track your Respiratory Rate. The watch will automatically measure and record the number of times you breathe in a minute. To view your Respiratory Rate, open the Health app on your iPhone or iPad.

However, some users have reported issues with sleep tracking on the Apple Watch Series 3. Specifically, the watch may not show up as a data source for sleep tracking in the Health app, and it may not track sleep stages such as REM sleep. If you are experiencing issues with sleep tracking on your Apple Watch Series 3, you may want to consider using a third-party app.

There are many third-party sleep tracking apps available for the Apple Watch. However, it is important to note that these apps may not integrate Apple Watch data and may be inaccurate. One alternative is to use a Fitbit Charge, which has a well-reviewed sleep tracking app. Another option is to use a Samsung Health app, which can sync sleep data with Apple Health. To find other third-party apps that can track your sleep, you can open the Health app and view the data sources and apps that contribute to your Health data.

Sleep tracking without a schedule

The Apple Watch Series 3 can track your sleep, but it has certain limitations. The watch can only provide basic sleep data such as the duration of sleep and breathing patterns. It cannot track specific sleep stages like REM, core, or deep sleep. To track these advanced metrics, you need WatchOS 9, which is not available on the Series 3.

Now, regarding sleep tracking without a schedule, there are a few things to note. Firstly, the Apple Watch does require you to set a sleep schedule or manually turn on "Sleep Mode" to track your sleep. This means that if you don't follow a strict sleep schedule or prefer to take naps throughout the day, you'll need to manually activate sleep tracking each time.

However, there are some workarounds and alternative methods you can try:

• Manual Tracking: You can manually turn on sleep tracking by swiping up on your watch face to access the control center and tapping the bed icon. Remember to do the same when you wake up to turn it off. This method requires user intervention each time.
• Third-Party Apps: Some third-party apps, like AutoSleep, allow you to track sleep without a predefined schedule. These apps use algorithms to automatically detect and track your sleep, even if your sleep patterns are irregular.
• Alternative Devices: Devices like Fitbit are known to offer automatic sleep tracking without the need for a predefined schedule. This might be a better option if you're looking for a more seamless sleep tracking experience without the hassle of manual activation.

It's important to note that even with manual tracking or third-party apps, the accuracy of sleep tracking on the Apple Watch Series 3 may vary. The watch relies on motion detection and other metrics to estimate sleep, and it may not always correctly identify when you're sleeping or provide detailed sleep stage data.

Sleep tracking limitations

The Apple Watch Series 3 does have sleep-tracking capabilities, but there are some limitations to be aware of. Firstly, it is important to ensure that your Apple Watch is charged to at least 30% before bed if you want to track your sleep. Additionally, make sure that the "Sleep Tracking" toggle is turned on, and that you wear the watch to bed for at least one hour.

One limitation of the Apple Watch Series 3 is that it may not track sleep stages, such as REM, Core, and Deep sleep. While newer Apple Watch models with WatchOS 9 can estimate the time spent in each sleep stage, the Series 3 watch only provides more high-level data like total time sleeping and breathing patterns. This is because the Series 3 watch cannot install WatchOS 9, which offers more detailed sleep metrics.

Some users have also reported issues with the Apple Watch Series 3 not appearing as a data source for sleep tracking in the Health app on their iPhones. This means that detailed sleep data, such as REM sleep stages, may not be available in the Health app. However, it is still possible to view recent sleep data directly on the Apple Watch by opening the Sleep app and turning the Digital Crown.

Additionally, the Apple Watch Series 3 may not track sleep accurately if your sleep schedule deviates significantly from the schedule you have set in the Health app. While some users expect the watch to track sleep whenever they are sleeping, regardless of the schedule, this does not seem to be the case for all users. Therefore, it is important to keep your sleep schedule up-to-date and accurate to ensure the best results.

Frequently asked questions