How Galaxy Watch 4 Tracks Sleep

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is a powerful sleep-tracking wearable that can help you keep track of your sleep patterns. The watch uses a combination of an accelerometer (motion sensor) and Samsung Health's proprietary algorithms to detect when you're asleep. It also uses additional sensors to collect comprehensive sleep data, including heart rate and SpO2 sensors. The watch can also record your snoring using your phone's microphone. The sleep data is displayed in the Samsung Health app, where you can view your sleep time, sleep stages, blood oxygen levels, and more. The app also includes a sleep coaching feature that provides guidelines and missions to help you improve your sleeping habits.

How to set up sleep tracking on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is a powerful sleep-tracking wearable that can help you monitor your sleep and improve your sleep patterns. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to set up sleep tracking on your Samsung Galaxy Watch 4:

Step 1: Wear your watch correctly

For accurate sleep tracking, it is important to wear your watch correctly. Samsung recommends positioning the watch the width of two fingers above your ulna, the pointy bone on your wrist. A snug fit will improve blood oxygen and heart rate monitoring, ensuring more reliable tracking.

Step 2: Open the Samsung Health app

On your watch, navigate to and open the Samsung Health app. This app is crucial for sleep monitoring and provides various sleep-related features.

Step 3: Enable necessary settings

Swipe to the Settings option within the Samsung Health app. Here, you will need to enable specific settings to utilize sleep tracking. Turn on features such as "Blood oxygen during sleep" and Snore detection by tapping the switch next to them.

Step 4: Connect to your phone

Ensure that your Galaxy Watch 4 is connected to your smartphone via the Galaxy Wearable app. This connection allows you to access additional features, like snore detection and viewing detailed sleep data on your phone.

Step 5: Set up Sleep Mode

To ensure your watch doesn't disturb your sleep, set up Sleep Mode. You can sync your Sleep Mode settings between your phone and watch. This way, you can avoid notifications or distractions during your designated sleep time.

Step 6: Utilize sleep coaching

After wearing your watch for at least seven days and nights, you can access the sleep coaching feature. Open the Samsung Health app on your phone, tap the Sleep tile, and select "Get started with sleep coaching." Answer the questions to receive personalized sleep improvement guidance.

Step 7: Track your progress

Swipe left on your watch's home screen to find the Sleep tile. Here, you can view your sleep data, including sleep score, sleep time, sleep stages, blood oxygen levels, snore detection, and sleep consistency. You can also access more detailed charts and graphs by connecting to the Samsung Health app on your phone.

By following these steps, you can effectively set up and utilize the sleep tracking features of your Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 to gain insights into your sleep patterns and work towards improving your sleep quality.

The accuracy of the sleep tracking feature

The Samsung Galaxy Watch uses an accelerometer to detect movement and combines this with user data from its sensor array. It can monitor blood oxygen levels, heart rate, sleep cycles, sleep consistency, and sleep time. The watch can also detect snoring, although this feature requires the user's phone to be nearby to pick up snoring sounds. The watch's accuracy in detecting sleep is further enhanced by Samsung Health's proprietary algorithms, which use data from the watch's sensors to determine whether the wearer is asleep or awake.

While the Samsung Galaxy Watch provides a comprehensive breakdown of sleep patterns, it is important to note that no fitness tracker is 100% accurate. For example, a user has reported that their watch indicated they were asleep when they were actually awake and watching TV. Another user reported that the watch showed them as being asleep when they were working on a laptop in bed. Therefore, while the watch provides a good indication of sleep patterns, it should not be solely relied upon for sleep tracking and should be used in conjunction with other methods for a more accurate assessment.

The different sleep tracking metrics

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 offers a range of sleep tracking metrics to help you understand your sleep patterns and improve your sleep quality. Here are the key sleep tracking metrics offered by the Galaxy Watch 4:

• Sleep Score: The Galaxy Watch 4 assigns a sleep score, a number between 1 and 100, that indicates the quality of your sleep. This score takes into account various factors such as total sleep time, sleep cycles, restlessness, and sleep stages. A higher score indicates better sleep quality.
• Total Sleep Time: This metric tracks the duration of your sleep, showing you how many hours and minutes you slept. It also includes information about calories burned during sleep.
• Sleep Stages: The watch can track and display the different stages of sleep, including Awake, REM, Light, and Deep sleep cycles. This information can help you understand the quality of your sleep, as different sleep stages are important for physical and mental recovery.
• Blood Oxygen Levels: The Galaxy Watch 4 can monitor your blood oxygen saturation levels during sleep. This metric can provide insights into your overall wellness and sleep quality.
• Snore Detection: The watch can detect and record your snoring using the built-in microphone or your phone's microphone. This feature allows you to check the duration and frequency of your snoring, which can be helpful in identifying any potential sleep disorders.
• Sleep Consistency: This metric shows the number of days in the current week that you've achieved your set sleep goals. It helps you maintain a consistent sleep schedule, which is important for overall health.
• Sleep Coaching: Introduced in early 2022, the sleep coaching feature provides personalized guidance to improve your sleep. After tracking your sleep for seven days, it assigns you one of eight sleep animals representing your sleep type and offers missions and guidelines to enhance your sleep habits.
• Heart Rate: The watch can monitor your heart rate during sleep, providing insights into your overall health and sleep quality.
• Restlessness: The Galaxy Watch 4 can detect movements and restlessness during sleep, which impact your sleep score. Reduced restlessness contributes to a higher sleep score.

These sleep tracking metrics provide a comprehensive overview of your sleep patterns, allowing you to make informed decisions to improve your sleep quality and overall well-being.

How to use the snoring detection feature

The snoring detection feature on the Samsung Galaxy Watch can help you find out if you snore during sleep, and if so, how often and how loud. To use this feature, you need to wear your watch while you sleep. Here is how you can set up the snoring detection feature:

For the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, 3, and Active 2 models:

• Open the Samsung Health app on your phone.
• Tap the Sleep tile at the top of the screen.
• Tap the three vertical dots in the upper right corner, then tap Advanced measurement.
• Tap Snoring and turn on the Snore detection switch at the top of the screen.
• Allow the necessary permissions when prompted.
• A pop-up will inform you that turning on the Snore detection feature will increase phone battery consumption. Tap OK to continue.
• Select your preference under Detect snoring. You can choose from Always or Once.
• You can also choose to record your snoring by tapping the switch next to Record audio.
• It is recommended that you keep your phone next to you, preferably connected to its charger, to get snoring detection to work.

For the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5:

• Open the Samsung Health app on your phone.
• Tap the Sleep tile.
• Allow Samsung Health to record audio by tapping While using the app from the prompt that appears.
• You can choose to have your watch track your snoring the entire time you are asleep, or just once per "sleep session."
• The watch can detect snoring sounds using its built-in microphone, so you don't need your smartphone next to you while sleeping.

How to set up sleep coaching

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 can help you improve your sleep with its sleep coaching feature. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to set it up:

First, ensure that your watch is positioned correctly on your wrist. According to Samsung, the watch should be placed the width of two fingers above your ulna, the pointy bone on your wrist. A snug fit will improve blood oxygen and heart rate monitoring, as well as tracking accuracy.

Next, open the Samsung Health app on your watch and navigate to the Settings. From here, you can enable sleep tracking by turning on the switch next to "Blood oxygen during sleep". You can also enable snoring detection by going to Advanced measurement and turning on the switch next to "Snoring". This feature will allow your watch to record your snoring and provide you with data that you can review in the Samsung Health app.

After setting up sleep tracking, you will need to wear your watch for at least seven days and nights to collect sufficient data for the Sleep coaching feature. During this time, the watch will monitor your sleep patterns, including the quality and length of your sleep, sleep cycles, and other factors contributing to a good night's rest.

Once the initial seven-day tracking period is complete, you can set up the Sleep coaching feature. Open the Samsung Health app on your connected phone and tap the Sleep tile. Tap "Get started with sleep coaching" and answer the questions about your sleep habits to help determine how best to coach you.

After analyzing your sleep data and answers, the app will assign you a "sleep animal" that represents your sleep style. The animals include the Unconcerned Lion, Sensitive Hedgehog, Nervous Penguin, Sun-Averse Mole, Cautious Deer, Easygoing Walrus, Alligator on the Hunt, and Exhausted Shark.

Based on this information, the app will create a personalized four-to-five-week coaching program to help you improve your sleep habits. You will receive notifications, missions, checklists, sleep-related articles, meditation guidance, and sleep reports to guide you towards better sleep.

Frequently asked questions