Iphone 6 Sleep Tracking: How Does It Work?

The iPhone 6 can track your sleep through the Health app, which allows you to set sleep goals and create a customised sleep schedule. However, Apple removed the iPhone-only sleep-tracking feature Time in Bed in iOS 18. Now, the iPhone can only tell you whether or not you picked up your phone during the hours you set for sleep time. For more accurate sleep tracking, you can pair your iPhone with an Apple Watch and use the Sleep app.

Track sleep with Apple Watch

To track your sleep with an Apple Watch, you will need an iPhone with the latest version of iOS and an Apple Watch with the latest version of watchOS. Make sure your Apple Watch is charged to at least 30% before you go to bed and ensure Sleep Tracking is enabled.

You can set up sleep tracking during the initial setup of your Apple Watch if it has been paired with your iPhone beforehand. If you paired your Apple Watch after the setup, you can still turn on sleep tracking later. Open the Health app on your iPhone and tap 'Get Started' under 'Set Up Sleep'. Then, tap 'Next'. Set the number of hours you would like to sleep, and your bedtime and wake-up times. You can also enable Sleep Focus to reduce distractions by simplifying your Lock Screen.

To adjust your wind-down and sleep goal, open the Health app and tap 'Browse' at the bottom of the screen. Then, tap 'Sleep'. If you have Sleep saved to your Favourites list, you can access it from the Summary page in the Health app. Tap 'Full Schedule & Options', then 'Wind Down' or 'Sleep Goal' under 'Additional Details'. Adjust your time, then tap the option again to save your changes.

If you have an Apple Watch Series 3 or later with watchOS 8, you can also measure and track your respiratory rate. With Sleep Tracking turned on, your Apple Watch will automatically measure and record the number of times you breathe in a minute when you wear it to bed. To view your respiratory rate, open the Health app on your iPhone or iPad.

Set sleep goals

Setting sleep goals is an important part of improving your sleep and overall health. The Health app on your iPhone can help you set and achieve your sleep goals. Here's how you can set up sleep goals on your iPhone:

• Open the Health app on your iPhone.
• Tap "Get Started" under "Set Up Sleep", then tap "Next".
• Under "Sleep Goals", set the number of hours you want to spend asleep. This is where you define your sleep goal, so consider how much sleep you want to get each night.
• Adjust your bedtime and wake-up times. Decide when you want to go to bed and when you want to wake up.
• Simplify your Lock Screen and enable Sleep Focus. To reduce distractions, you can simplify your iPhone's Lock Screen and turn on Sleep Focus during your scheduled bedtime. You can also choose to allow certain people or apps to notify you during this time.
• Use third-party apps. While the built-in Health app allows you to set sleep goals, you can also explore third-party apps like Sleep Cycle for more advanced features. Sleep Cycle offers insights, analysis, and guidance to help you achieve your sleep goals. It's integrated with Apple Health and provides features like sleep scores, detailed sleep statistics, sleep stories, and more.

Remember, getting enough sleep is essential for your health and well-being, so setting realistic and achievable sleep goals is important. You can always adjust your goals as needed using the Health app on your iPhone or Apple Watch.

Track respiratory rate

The Apple Watch Series 3 or later with watchOS 8 can measure and track your respiratory rate. To do this, you must first enable sleep tracking on your Apple Watch. Then, simply wear your watch to bed, and it will automatically measure and record the number of breaths you take per minute while you sleep.

To view your respiratory rate data, open the Health app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap 'Browse' at the bottom of the screen, then tap 'Respiratory' and 'Respiratory Rate'. You can also access this data by tapping 'Show More Sleep Data' and then 'Comparisons'. This will allow you to view your heart rate and respiratory rate in relation to your time spent asleep.

The Health app will display your respiratory rate in a chart, showing your range of breaths per minute based on the hour, day, week, month, and year. This data can be useful for identifying trends over time and determining if something is wrong with your sleeping patterns.

It is important to note that the Apple Watch respiratory rate feature is for adults only and is not available for children under 18 years old. Additionally, standalone Apple Watches that are not paired with an iPhone using Family Setup cannot track sleep and, therefore, cannot record respiratory rates.

Track sleep without Apple Watch

While the Apple Watch is a popular device for tracking sleep, it is possible to track sleep without one. Here are the steps to track sleep using just an iPhone:

First, ensure that your iPhone has the latest version of iOS. This is important because the sleep tracking feature may not be available on older versions of the operating system.

Next, open the Health app on your iPhone. This is where you will be able to access and view your sleep data. In the Health app, tap on "Browse" at the bottom of the screen, and then tap on "Sleep". From here, you can set up sleep tracking and view data on your recent nights of sleep.

To set up sleep tracking, tap on "Get Started" under "Set Up Sleep", and then tap "Next". You will then be able to set your sleep goals and create a customized sleep schedule. This includes setting the number of hours you would like to sleep, your bedtime, and wake-up times. You can also enable Sleep Focus, which reduces distractions on your iPhone by simplifying your Lock Screen when it is time for bed.

Additionally, you can adjust your wind-down time, which is the amount of time before bedtime that you would like the Sleep Focus to be active, limiting distractions and helping you prepare for sleep. To do this, tap on "Wind Down" and adjust the time as needed.

By using the Health app on your iPhone, you can track your sleep schedule, duration, and quality without needing an Apple Watch. This allows you to monitor your sleep patterns and make adjustments to improve your overall health and well-being.

Third-party sleep tracking apps

To track your sleep using an iPhone 6, you can use the Health app. This allows you to set sleep goals and create a customised sleep schedule. You can also use Sleep Focus to reduce distractions and enable certain people or apps to notify you.

Third-party sleep-tracking apps for iPhone 6:

• Sleep Cycle: This app has a smart alarm that wakes you up gently during your lightest sleep phase, helping you feel more energised. It also provides a detailed analysis of your sleep patterns, detecting sounds like snoring, coughing, and sleep talking. Sleep Cycle also offers a library of sleep stories, relaxation guides, and calm sleep sounds. The app compares your sleep to others in your vicinity/nation and provides a map of areas where coughing is heavy.
• SleepScore: This app is compatible with iPhone 6 and higher. It allows you to set sleep goals and provides detailed sleep-stage data and actionable advice for reaching your goals. The free version offers general sleep advice and a seven-day sleep record. For a fee, SleepScore offers long-term sleep tracking and helps you create a path toward improvement.
• AutoSleep: This app is available for $2.99 and allows you to track your sleep with your Apple Watch or by placing your iPhone on your mattress. It provides detailed information about your sleep, including a graph showing your sleep qualities and cycle, how long you laid awake, your average heart rate, and how long you spent in deep sleep.

Frequently asked questions