Evie Summers
Apple has offered sleep tracking features on its devices for several years. iOS 10, released in 2016, included a sleep tracking feature that did not require an Apple Watch. Users could place their iPhone on a table or under their sheets, and the device would use its microphone or accelerometer to monitor their sleep. However, Apple removed the iPhone-only sleep tracking feature in iOS 18, and sleep tracking is now only available through the Apple Watch. The Apple Watch uses motion detection to track sleep and provides more detailed insights, such as sleep stages and respiratory rate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Devices | Apple Watch, iPhone |
| Setup | Pair Apple Watch with iPhone, enable Sleep Tracking on Apple Watch, ensure Apple Watch is charged at least 30% before bed |
| Sleep Tracking | Wear Apple Watch to bed for at least 1 hour, open the Sleep app on Apple Watch to view Sleep Stages data, Time Asleep, and Sleep Duration for the last 14 days |
| Respiratory Rate Tracking | Available on Apple Watch Series 3 or later with watchOS 8 or later, measures and records the number of times the user breathes in a minute |
| Sleep Data | Viewable on the Health app on iPhone or iPad, tap Browse at the bottom of the screen, then tap Sleep, bar graph displays data for the past day, week, month, or 6 months, additional details can be reviewed by tapping Show More Sleep Data |
| Sleep Goals | Set the desired number of hours of sleep, customize sleep schedules |
| Sleep Focus | Reduce distractions by simplifying the Lock Screen and turning on Sleep Focus at the scheduled bedtime, grant certain people or apps permission to notify you |
| iPhone-only Sleep Tracking | Previously available in iOS 10, removed in iOS 18, tracked Time in Bed by monitoring phone usage and ambient light |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Using the iPhone's microphone
The Sleep Cycle app is one way to track sleep using the iPhone's microphone. The app has two motion detection modes: a microphone or an accelerometer. The built-in microphone is used to analyse your movements as you sleep. To use the microphone mode, keep the app running in the foreground with the device unlocked. It is important to place the phone correctly. iPhone 8 and later versions can be placed facing up.
The Sleep Cycle app provides a detailed analysis of your sleep patterns, detecting sounds like snoring, coughing, breathing, sleep talking, and ambient noise. It also records and monitors these sounds for your review. You can then delete any recording or correct the label. The app also features relaxing sleep sounds, sleep stories, and relaxing meditations, as well as gentle wake-up tones and music.
The Sleep Cycle app can be used to set a sleep goal and help rebuild your sleep routine. It also features an intelligent alarm clock that wakes you up gently during your lightest sleep phase, helping you feel more energised.
To use the iPhone's built-in Health app to track sleep, you will need to pair it with an Apple Watch. The Apple Watch will then use the sleep schedule to detect when you are sleeping and to estimate the different stages of sleep. The Health app allows you to view data on recent nights of sleep and set your sleep schedule.
iWatch Series 5: Tracking Sleep and More
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Using the iPhone's accelerometer
The iPhone's accelerometer is a motion sensor that can be used to track sleep. When used in conjunction with sleep tracking apps, the accelerometer can detect and record movement during sleep. This data helps determine when a person is asleep, awake, or transitioning between sleep stages. To use this feature, the iPhone must be placed on the bed or near it. For instance, Sleep Cycle is a third-party app that uses the iPhone's accelerometer to detect when a person is snoring or tossing and turning. The app can then use this data to wake the person up during the lightest stage of sleep near the target time.
The iPhone's accelerometer can also be used in conjunction with the Apple Watch to track sleep. The watch uses its accelerometer to detect movement and create a detailed view of a person's sleep. The Apple Watch app Sleep++ can detect movement and create a granular view of a person's sleep, showing how long and well they slept. The app does not trigger an alarm, but the option to manually activate one exists via the Apple Watch.
In addition to third-party apps, Apple's Health app can also use the iPhone's accelerometer to track sleep. The app can detect subtle movements, even when the phone is placed on a bedside table. Apple has developed algorithms within the Health app that interpret the data collected from motion detection and analyze patterns of movement throughout the night to accurately identify periods of sleep. The app also considers contextual cues such as bedtime routines and device usage patterns to refine its understanding of a person's sleep habits. For example, it may recognize when the screen has been dimmed or "Do Not Disturb" mode has been enabled as indicators that the user is preparing for sleep.
It is important to note that while the iPhone's accelerometer can provide insights into sleep patterns, it does not have the sensors to accurately judge sleep states using a medical basis. Additionally, when using the accelerometer to track sleep, it is recommended to ensure that the iPhone is securely placed on the bed or under the sheets to get accurate readings.
Fitbit Sleep Tracking: How Accurate Is It Really?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Using the Apple Watch
To track your sleep using the Apple Watch, you must first enable sleep tracking and ensure your Apple Watch is charged to at least 30% before bed. You can also turn on charging reminders so that your Apple Watch can remind you to charge your watch before your wind-down time and notify you when your watch is fully charged.
When you are ready to sleep, wear your Apple Watch to bed and ensure that you wear it for at least one hour each night. The watch will then automatically measure and record the number of times you breathe in a minute, providing you with your respiratory rate. This data will be added to the Health app on your iPhone, which you can view by tapping 'Browse' and then tapping 'Respiratory'.
In the morning, you can open the Sleep app on your Apple Watch to see the amount of sleep you got, the time spent in each sleep stage, and your sleep average over the last 14 days. You can also ask Siri how much sleep you got the night before.
You can also create multiple sleep schedules in the Sleep app on your Apple Watch, such as one for weekdays and another for weekends. For each schedule, you can set a sleep goal, bedtime and wake-up time, and turn Sleep Focus on or off.
Fitbit Sleep Tracking: Accurate or Deceitful?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Using the Health app
The Health app on iOS 10 can help you set a sleep goal and create a customised sleep schedule. To get started, open the Health app on your iPhone and tap "Get Started" under "Set Up Sleep".
You can then set the number of hours you would like to spend asleep, as well as your bedtime and wake-up times. You can also enable Sleep Focus to reduce distractions on your iPhone and Apple Watch by simplifying your Lock Screen and turning on Sleep Focus at your scheduled bedtime. You can also give certain people or apps permission to notify you.
To view your sleep history, open the Health app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap "Browse" at the bottom of the screen, then tap "Sleep". If you have Sleep saved as a favourite, you can access it from the Summary page in the Health app. The bar graph is set to "D" for daily 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, such as the time and percentage you spent awake or in REM, Core, or Deep sleep.
You can also view your recent 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. With an Apple Watch Series 3 or later with watchOS 8, you can also measure and track your Respiratory Rate.
Tracking Sleep Cycles: Can Technology Really Help?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Using third-party apps
While Apple has its own Sleep app for tracking sleep, there are several third-party apps that can be used for more detailed sleep tracking and analysis. These apps can be used with or without an Apple Watch.
AutoSleep
AutoSleep is a paid app that offers in-depth data and analysis of your sleep, including sleep quality, heart rate, deep sleep, and more. It can track your sleep with or without an Apple Watch. The app can also track environmental noise, which may be useful for tracking snoring. AutoSleep costs $4.99 for a one-time purchase, or $2.99 for version 3.0 with bug fixes, performance improvements, and watchOS 3.1.3 support.
Pillow
Pillow is a freemium app that offers a limited daily sleep analysis and an alarm clock for free. The premium version includes features such as guided meditations, sleep stories, sound scenes, and music. It also offers a smart alarm clock. Pillow requires a premium subscription to unlock most of its features.
Sleep++
Sleep++ is a free app with in-app purchases. It has an automatic mode and a manual mode. In manual mode, you can precisely control when data is collected by telling the app when you start sleeping and when you wake up.
Sleep Cycle
Sleep Cycle is a free app with a $29.99/year premium subscription. It has a smart alarm clock that wakes you up when you're in a light sleep phase, and it can detect snoring, sleep talking, coughing, and other disruptions. The premium version includes relaxing sleep sounds and a story library. Sleep Cycle does not require an Apple Watch as it uses sound analysis.
SleepWatch
SleepWatch is a sleep tracking app that measures total sleep time, total restful sleep time, average sleeping heart rate, sleep rhythm, sleep disruptions, and more. It costs $3.99/month or $29.99/year for a premium membership.
SleepScore
SleepScore is a paid app that is compatible with any iPhone with iOS software 10.3.3 or higher. It has a specific and easy-to-understand privacy policy, and the company stores user information in controlled facilities rather than third-party servers or databases.
Amazfit Pace: Sleep Tracking Explained
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
You can put your phone on a table next to your bed and use the microphone to monitor your sleep, or you can tuck your phone under your bedsheet and use the accelerometer to detect when you move.
No, you do not need a separate app. The Health app on iOS 10 can help you set a sleep goal and create a customized sleep schedule.
The Health app uses the Clock app to track your sleep. It also uses the ambient light sensor to detect if your bedroom lights are on and tracks when your phone is in use.
No, Apple has removed the iPhone-only sleep tracking feature (Time in Bed) in iOS 18. Sleep tracking is now only available through the Apple Watch.
You can use the Sleep Cycle app, which has great free features. You can also create a pair of shortcuts that can be used in automations to mimic the "In Bed" tracking behavior.
