Apple Watch: Tracking Your Rem Sleep

The Apple Watch is a smart device that can be used to track sleep. The built-in Sleep app can estimate the amount of time spent in REM, core sleep, and deep sleep, provided the user wears the watch to bed. It's important to note that users must pre-define their sleep schedule within the app for this feature to work. The watch will then monitor breathing and movement to provide insights into the different sleep phases. While the Apple Watch doesn't measure brain activity, it can still offer valuable information about sleep duration and quality. Additionally, third-party sleep-tracking apps are available for download, offering more comprehensive insights into sleep patterns.

The Apple Watch Sleep app estimates the time spent in each sleep stage

The Apple Watch Sleep app is a useful tool for tracking your sleep patterns and setting sleep goals. The app can estimate the time spent in each sleep stage: REM, Core, and Deep sleep. However, it is important to note that you must wear your Apple Watch to bed and pre-define your sleep schedule within the app for accurate tracking.

REM sleep is the phase where you do most of your dreaming. Deep sleep is a restorative phase that is beneficial for both your brain and body. Apple categorises any sleep that doesn't fall into these two categories as Core sleep, or lighter sleep.

After waking up, you can open the Sleep app to see a chart that estimates the duration of each sleep phase from the previous night. The app also provides sleep trend data from the past two weeks, allowing you to identify patterns and make adjustments to your sleep routine if needed.

In addition to sleep stage estimation, the Apple Watch can also track your breathing rate while you sleep, providing further insights into your overall health. It is important to note that respiratory rate measurements are not intended for medical use.

While the Sleep app on the Apple Watch is a convenient way to track your sleep, it may not provide completely accurate data. Some users have reported inconsistencies in the deep sleep percentages reported by the app. It is always recommended to consult a medical professional if you have concerns about your sleep quality or duration.

You need to pre-define your sleep schedule within the app

To track your sleep using your Apple Watch, you need to pre-define your sleep schedule within the app. This is because the Apple Watch does not automatically detect when you've gone to bed.

To set your sleep schedule, open the Sleep app on your Apple Watch and follow the onscreen instructions. You can also open the Health app on your iPhone, tap Browse, tap Sleep, then tap Get Started (below Set Up Sleep). Here, you can set up your sleep goals, bedtime, and wake-up times, as well as enable Sleep Focus, which limits distractions before you go to bed and protects your sleep after you're in bed.

You can also create multiple sleep schedules, such as one for weekdays and another for weekends, or for any other days with special requirements or schedules. For each schedule, you can set up the days, times, and alarm options.

It's important to note that the Apple Watch needs at least four hours of sleep data per night to provide you with insights. Additionally, make sure your Apple Watch is charged to at least 30% before bed and wear it to sleep for at least one hour for accurate sleep tracking.

The watch needs to be charged to at least 30% before bed

To track your sleep using an Apple Watch, you need to wear it to bed. The watch can then estimate the time spent in each sleep stage: REM, Core, and Deep. It can also detect when you wake up. In the morning, you can open the Sleep app to see how much sleep you got and review your sleep trends over the past 14 days.

However, for the Apple Watch to effectively track your sleep, it needs to be charged to at least 30% before you go to bed. If your Apple Watch is charged less than 30% before bedtime, you will be prompted to charge it. This is to ensure that the watch has enough power to monitor your sleep throughout the night.

By glancing at the greeting on your Apple Watch in the morning, you can see how much charge remains. This can help you understand if your watch was fully charged before tracking your sleep and if the remaining battery life is sufficient for the rest of the day.

Additionally, you can set up charging reminders on your Apple Watch. This feature will remind you to charge your watch before your designated bedtime and notify you when it is fully charged. This way, you can ensure that your Apple Watch is ready to track your sleep each night and provide you with accurate sleep data.

It is important to note that while the Apple Watch can provide insights into your sleep patterns, it may not always be entirely accurate. For example, it might register being on your phone as sleeping or have difficulty distinguishing between deep sleep and being awake. Therefore, it is recommended to use the data provided as a general guide and make adjustments based on your personal experiences and preferences.

Wear the watch for at least one hour to track sleep

To track your sleep using your Apple Watch, you must wear it to bed for at least an hour. This is a prerequisite for receiving sleep data. If you don't wear your Apple Watch to sleep, your graph might not show any data.

To set up sleep tracking, open the Health app on your iPhone and tap 'Get Started' under 'Set Up Sleep'. Then, tap 'Next' and follow the onscreen prompts to establish your sleep goals, bedtime and wake-up times, and sleep focus. You can also give certain people or apps permission to notify you during this time.

Once you've set up sleep tracking, make sure your Apple Watch is charged to at least 30% before bed, with Sleep Tracking enabled. When you wake up, open the Sleep app to learn how much sleep you got and see your sleep trends over the past 14 days.

In addition to tracking the time spent in each sleep stage (REM, Core, and Deep), your Apple Watch can also help monitor your respiratory rate while you sleep, providing greater insight into your overall health.

You can view your sleep history on the Health app

The Health app on your iPhone can help you set a sleep goal and create a customized sleep schedule. To view your sleep history on the Health app, first, make sure that the "Track Sleep with Apple Watch" setting is enabled. You must also wear your Apple Watch for at least 1 hour each night. If you don't wear your watch to sleep, your graph might not show any data.

To view your sleep history, open the Health app on your iPhone or iPad. If you're on your iPhone, tap "Browse" at the bottom of the screen. If you're on your iPad, tap the sidebar to open it. Tap "Sleep". If you've saved Sleep as a favorite, 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 6 months. Tap "Show More Sleep Data" and select a category to review additional sleep details.

You can view the time and percentage you spent awake or in REM, Core, or Deep sleep. You can also view your Sleep Duration details, such as your Sleep Goal and Time Asleep.

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.

Frequently asked questions