How Apple Watch Series 3 Tracks Sleep

The Apple Watch Series 3 can track your sleep, but it has limitations. With watchOS 8, your Apple Watch Series 3 can measure and track your respiratory rate. However, it cannot provide detailed sleep stage data like REM sleep or deep sleep. To track your sleep with an Apple Watch Series 3, you need to enable Sleep Tracking and wear your watch to bed. You can also set up a sleep schedule and sleep goals through the Health app on your paired iPhone. While the Apple Watch Series 3 can give you a basic understanding of your sleep duration and trends, it may not be as accurate as a dedicated sleep-tracking device.

Apple Watch Series 3 sleep tracking

The Apple Watch Series 3 does have sleep-tracking capabilities. However, it is important to note that the watch needs to have watchOS 8 or above to access this feature. With the Sleep app, you can measure and track your Respiratory Rate. When you wear your Apple Watch Series 3 to bed, it 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. If you're using an iPhone, tap Browse at the bottom of the screen, then tap Respiratory and Respiratory Rate. If you're using an iPad, tap the sidebar and then Respiratory Rate.

In addition to tracking Respiratory Rate, the Apple Watch Series 3 can also provide basic sleep tracking information such as the total time spent sleeping and breathing patterns. However, it is unable to provide more detailed sleep stage data such as REM, Core, and Deep sleep. For more detailed sleep tracking, a newer version of the Apple Watch, such as Series 6 or 8, is recommended as they are capable of estimating the time spent in each sleep stage.

To enable sleep tracking on the Apple Watch Series 3, you need to pair it with your iPhone and set up sleep tracking during the initial setup process. If you have already set up your Apple Watch, you can still enable sleep tracking by going to the Watch app on your iPhone, tapping the My Watch tab, and then selecting Sleep. From there, you can turn on the "Track Sleep with Apple Watch" setting.

It is worth noting that the Apple Watch Series 3 may not be as accurate as dedicated sleep-tracking devices, but it can still provide a rough idea of your sleep patterns and duration. Additionally, you can use third-party apps like SleepWatch to enhance your sleep tracking experience on the Apple Watch.

SleepWatch app

The SleepWatch app is a top-rated sleep tracking app for Apple Watch. It offers advanced tracking and analysis of your sleep, helping you build and maintain a better night's rest. The app is easy to use: simply wear your Apple Watch to bed, and SleepWatch will automatically track your sleep, providing insightful sleep details when you wake up.

SleepWatch offers a range of features to help you understand and improve your sleep. It can record sleep sounds such as snoring, coughing, and flatulence, and provide personalized coaching and insights to help you get a better night's rest. The app also includes a smart alarm and bedtime feature, which aims to help you wake up feeling less groggy by finding your ideal bedtime and waking you during a light state of sleep.

SleepWatch provides in-depth sleep reports that you can check on your phone or watch. These reports include information such as total sleep time, total restful sleep time, average sleeping heart rate, sleep rhythm, sleep disruptions, and sleeping blood oxygen levels. The app also allows you to track your snoring, recording the intensity and providing insights into what may improve it.

In addition to these features, SleepWatch also offers a customizable white noise library, allowing you to create a unique soundscape to help you sleep. The app can also be used to tag, track, and monitor daily activities and lifestyle choices that may impact your sleep. SleepWatch provides daily reminders and motivation to help you stay on track with your sleep goals.

Setting up sleep tracking

Next, you can set up your sleep schedule and goals. Open the Health App on your iPhone and tap 'Get Started' under 'Set Up Sleep', then tap 'Next'. Here, you can set your sleep goals, such as the number of hours you'd like to sleep, as well as your desired bedtime and wake-up times. You can also enable Sleep Focus to reduce distractions by simplifying your Lock Screen and turning on Sleep Focus at your scheduled bedtime.

Additionally, you can give certain people or apps permission to notify you during this time. You can also set up multiple sleep schedules, such as one for weekdays and another for weekends. If you have an Apple Watch Series 3 or later with watchOS 8, you can also measure and track your Respiratory Rate. This feature will automatically measure and record the number of times you breathe in a minute while you sleep.

Finally, you can enable Sleep Tracking on your Apple Watch. In the Watch app on your iPhone, tap the 'My Watch' tab, then tap 'Sleep'. From here, toggle on 'Track Sleep with Apple Watch'. This will enable 'Do Not Disturb' on your watch and prevent the screen from lighting up while you sleep. With these settings in place, simply wear your Apple Watch to bed, and it will automatically track your sleep.

Sleep tracking accuracy

The Apple Watch 3 can be used to track sleep. However, it is important to note that it won't be as accurate as a dedicated sleep-tracking device. It can, however, give you a rough idea of how well and how much you sleep. If you have a serious medical condition, it is advised not to rely on this data.

To track your sleep using the Apple Watch 3, you can download third-party apps such as SleepWatch and SleepSpace, which are available on the App Store. These apps can provide insights into your sleep patterns, such as the average amount of time you were asleep and in bed, and they can also offer features like smart alarms and bedtime suggestions.

To improve the accuracy of sleep tracking on the Apple Watch 3, it is recommended to ensure that the watch is connected to your phone, fully charged, and worn on your wrist during sleep. Additionally, you can enable high-resolution tracking mode and grant the app access to your Apple Health data.

According to a study on the accuracy of wearable sleep trackers, the Apple Watch 8 showed substantial agreement with polysomnography, indicating its potential for sleep monitoring. However, the study also found variations in performance across different sleep stages, with some devices excelling in certain stages while others showed superiority in deep sleep stages.

Sleep tracking limitations

The Apple Watch 3 can be used to track your sleep patterns. However, there are some limitations to its sleep-tracking capabilities.

Firstly, the Apple Watch 3 may not provide as accurate a measurement of your sleep as a dedicated sleep-tracking device. While it can give you a general idea of your sleep patterns and duration, it may not be as precise as a device specifically designed for sleep tracking.

Secondly, the Apple Watch 3 has limited insight into specific sleep stages. While newer Apple Watch models with watchOS 9 can estimate the time spent in REM, Core, and Deep sleep stages, the Apple Watch 3 may not provide this level of detail. It may only offer more basic information, such as total sleep duration and breathing patterns.

Additionally, the Apple Watch 3 may not be able to receive software updates for the latest watchOS versions due to storage limitations. This could impact its sleep-tracking capabilities, as newer versions of watchOS introduce more advanced sleep-tracking features. For example, watchOS 9 offers more involved sleep metrics, which are not accessible on older watchOS versions.

Furthermore, the Apple Watch 3 must be charged to at least 30% before sleep tracking, and it needs to be worn for at least one hour to record sleep data. If these conditions are not met, the watch may not provide any sleep data for that night.

Lastly, it is important to note that the respiratory rate measurements provided by the Apple Watch 3 are not intended for medical use. While they can give you insights into your overall health, they should not be solely relied upon for medical diagnosis or treatment.

Frequently asked questions