Monitoring Rem Sleep: Apple Watch Feature

The Apple Watch's sleep-tracking function can display a graph of sleep stages, including REM sleep, although its sleep duration stats may be more useful. To access your Apple Watch sleep data, you need to ensure that your watch is running watchOS 7 on a Series 3 or newer, SE, or Ultra model, and that you have an iPhone 6s or later running iOS 14 or higher. You can then adjust your Apple Watch sleep settings and access your sleep data via the Sleep app on your watch or the Health app on your iPhone.

How to enable REM sleep tracking on the Apple Watch

Sleep tracking is a feature on Apple Watches that can help you meet your sleep goals and improve your overall health. To enable REM sleep tracking on your Apple Watch, follow these steps:

Check your Apple Watch and iPhone software:

First, ensure your Apple Watch software is up to date. Your Apple Watch must be running watchOS 7 or later on a Series 3 or newer, SE, or Ultra model. Additionally, you need an iPhone 6s or later with iOS 14 or higher.

Pair your Apple Watch with your iPhone:

Make sure your Apple Watch is paired with your iPhone. This step is crucial as it allows the Sleep app on your iPhone to sync with your Apple Watch, providing a more comprehensive view of your sleep data.

Open the Sleep app on your Apple Watch:

Locate and open the Sleep app on your Apple Watch. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up sleep tracking. You can also open the Health app on your iPhone, tap "Browse," then "Sleep", and follow the prompts to set up sleep tracking.

Set up your sleep schedule:

In the Sleep app, you can create a personalized sleep schedule. Set your desired bedtime and wake-up times, and the app will send you reminders to help you stick to your schedule. You can also enable Sleep Focus, which limits distractions before bed and protects your sleep once you're in bed.

Adjust your wind-down time:

The wind-down time is the period before your scheduled bedtime when your watch starts its bedtime routine. During this time, the watch switches to a simplified display and minimizes notifications to reduce distractions. You can adjust the length of the wind-down period to suit your needs.

Wear your Apple Watch to bed:

Remember to wear your Apple Watch to bed so it can track your sleep. It is recommended to wear the watch for at least one hour each night to ensure accurate data collection.

Check your sleep data:

In the morning, open the Sleep app on your Apple Watch to view your sleep data. You can see the total number of hours slept, a breakdown of sleep stages, and your sleep trends over the past 14 days. For more detailed information, check the Health app on your iPhone, where you can view long-term sleep trends, including daily, weekly, monthly, and six-month breakdowns.

By following these steps, you can effectively enable REM sleep tracking on your Apple Watch and gain valuable insights into your sleep patterns.

How to view your sleep data on the Apple Watch

To view your sleep data on the Apple Watch, you must first ensure that sleep tracking is enabled. To do this, open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap 'My Watch', select 'Sleep', and toggle the slider for 'Track Sleep with Apple Watch'.

Next, you can set up your sleep schedule. Go to Settings > Focus > Sleep to set up the Focus mode and wind-down time. Here, you can also allow specific contacts to reach you or send notifications while you sleep.

Once your sleep schedule is set up, you can view your sleep data by opening the Sleep app on your Apple Watch. The app will show you the total number of hours slept, a graph of the different sleep stages, a breakdown of sleep stages by minutes or hours, and a record of your sleep over the past 14 days.

For more detailed information, you can check the Health app on your iPhone. Open the app, tap 'Browse', and select 'Sleep'. Here, you will see a bar graph showing your start and end times for sleep, as well as your history on a weekly or monthly basis. Tap 'Show More Sleep Data' to view additional details, such as the number of nights of sleep measured, your sleep goal, your average time in bed, and your average time asleep.

How to set up your sleep schedule on the Apple Watch

Setting up a sleep schedule on your Apple Watch is a great way to help you meet your sleep goals and improve your overall health. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to set up your sleep schedule using the Sleep app on your Apple Watch and the Health app on your iPhone.

Step 1: Prepare your Devices

Before you begin, make sure your Apple Watch is charged to at least 30% before going to bed. Additionally, ensure that you have the latest version of watchOS on your Apple Watch and the latest version of iOS on your iPhone.

Step 2: Open the Sleep App on your Apple Watch

Locate and open the Sleep app on your Apple Watch. This app allows you to create sleep schedules, set sleep goals, and track your sleep.

Step 3: Follow the Onscreen Instructions

Follow the instructions provided by the Sleep app to set up your sleep schedule. You will be guided through the process of customizing your sleep schedule, including setting your bedtime, wake-up time, and sleep goal.

Step 4: Open the Health App on your iPhone

In addition to the Sleep app on your Apple Watch, you can also use the Health app on your iPhone to manage your sleep schedule. Open the Health app and tap "Browse" at the bottom of the screen, then select "Sleep."

Step 5: Set Up Sleep in the Health App

Tap "Get Started" under "Set Up Sleep," then tap "Next." Follow the onscreen prompts to establish your sleep goals, bedtime, wake-up times, and Sleep Focus settings.

Step 6: Adjust your Wind Down and Sleep Goal

You can adjust your wind-down time and sleep goal as needed on either your iPhone or Apple Watch. To do this, open the Health app, tap "Browse" at the bottom of the screen, and select "Sleep." Tap "Full Schedule & Options," then tap "Wind Down" or "Sleep Goal" under "Additional Details." Adjust your time and tap "Wind Down" or "Sleep Goal" to save your changes.

Step 7: Edit your Sleep Schedule

If you need to make changes to your sleep schedule, you can update your full schedule or just the next wake-up time. For the next wake-up time only, tap the sleep alarm icon in the upper-left corner of the Health app, then adjust the wake-up time and alarm settings. For the full schedule, tap "Full Schedule & Options," tap the schedule you want to edit, and make the necessary adjustments. Remember to tap "Done" to save your changes.

By following these steps, you can easily set up and customize your sleep schedule on your Apple Watch. This will help you track your sleep patterns and work towards achieving your sleep goals for a healthier lifestyle.

How to use third-party apps to track your sleep

The Apple Watch's built-in sleep-tracking function can display a graph of sleep stages, but if you're looking for more detailed insights, you can turn to third-party sleep-tracking apps. Here's how to use these apps to track your sleep:

Enabling Third-Party Sleep Tracking Apps

• Ensure your Apple Watch is running watchOS 6 or higher, as this grants access to a dedicated App Store.
• Open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap "Discover."
• Select "Explore Watch Apps" and use the search function to find a suitable app. Some popular options include AutoSleep, Pillow, Sleep++, and SleepWatch.
• Install the chosen app by tapping "Get" for free options or selecting the price button for paid apps.
• If you already have a sleep-tracking app on your iPhone, open the Watch app, scroll down the "My Watch" screen, and tap "Install" for the desired app under the "Available Apps" section.

Using Third-Party Sleep Tracking Apps

The exact steps for using third-party sleep-tracking apps will vary depending on the specific app you've chosen. However, here's a general overview of the process:

• Set up your sleep schedule within the app, specifying your desired bedtime and wake-up time.
• Wear your Apple Watch to bed to allow the app to monitor your sleep.
• In the morning, check the app on your watch or iPhone to view your sleep data, including total sleep time, sleep stages, heart rate, and more.

Tips for Accurate Sleep Tracking

For the most accurate sleep-tracking results:

• Ensure your Apple Watch has sufficient battery life before going to bed. It's recommended to give it a power boost of at least an hour or two before sleep.
• Adjust your watch to fit comfortably, not too tight or too loose. A loose-fitting watch may register too much movement and affect the accuracy of the data.
• Consider enabling Charging Reminders to receive notifications if your watch's battery is low before bedtime.

While the Apple Watch's built-in sleep-tracking features are convenient, third-party apps offer more comprehensive insights and customization options. By following the steps above, you can effectively utilize these apps to track and improve your sleep patterns.

How to charge your Apple Watch for overnight sleep tracking

To use your Apple Watch for overnight sleep tracking, you'll need to ensure it's charged before you go to bed. Most Apple Watches deliver around 18 hours of battery life on a single charge, so if you've been wearing it all day, you'll likely need to charge it before using it to track your sleep.

Apple recommends that your Apple Watch is charged to at least 30% before you go to bed with Sleep Tracking enabled. If your watch is charged to less than 30%, you'll be prompted to charge it. You can also set up Charging Reminders, which will send you a notification if your watch's battery is less than 30% charged an hour before your scheduled bedtime.

To set up charging reminders, open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and go to the Sleep tab. Then, toggle the slider under Charging Reminders.

If you give your Apple Watch a power boost before bed, it should last through the night. An hour or two of charging should be enough to fully charge your device.

Frequently asked questions