Rem Sleep Missing: Health App's Data Conundrum

If your health app is not showing REM sleep, it could be due to a variety of reasons. Firstly, it is important to ensure that your devices are fully updated with the latest software. Basic sleep tracking requires watchOS 8 and iOS 15, while advanced sleep tracking with sleep stages requires watchOS 9+ and iOS 16+. Additionally, you should check that the `Track Sleep with Apple Watch` toggle is enabled in the Watch app and that Sleep Schedule is enabled in the Health app. If you are using third-party sleep tracking apps, ensure that they have permission to enter data into the Health app and rearrange the data sources so that your Apple Watch is at the top of the list. If you are still experiencing issues, try deleting your current sleep schedule and creating a new one, or unpairing and re-pairing your Apple Watch.

User error in setting up the app

If your health app is not showing REM sleep, it could be due to user error in setting up the app. Here are some potential issues and solutions to consider:

Data Sources and Permissions

Ensure that your Apple Watch is set up as a data source for the Health app and that it has permission to enter sleep data. To do this, open the Health app, tap "Browse," then "Sleep," and check that your Apple Watch is listed as a data source. If not, add it as a data source and ensure it is at the top of the list to prioritize its data.

Sleep Tracking Settings

Make sure that sleep tracking is enabled on your Apple Watch. You can do this by opening the Watch app on your iPhone, going to "Sleep," and ensuring that "Track Sleep with Apple Watch" is toggled on. Additionally, check that Wrist Detection is turned on in the "Passcode" settings of the Watch app, as the device needs to be able to record your heart rate to determine your sleep stages.

Sleep Focus

Enable Sleep Focus, which can be done manually or by setting a sleep schedule. To turn it on manually, swipe up on your watch face, tap the moon icon, and scroll down to Sleep. Alternatively, you can enable it from your phone by swiping down from the top right of the screen, tapping "Focus," scrolling down to Sleep, and tapping it. If you're using a sleep schedule, ensure that Sleep Focus is turned on during your scheduled bedtime. To check this, go to "Settings," "Focus," "Sleep," "Next Schedule," and "Schedule."

Fit and Connection

Ensure that your Apple Watch fits snugly on your wrist, as a loose fit may cause the accelerometer to register too much movement during sleep. Also, check that the watch is able to record your heart rate accurately. Perform a workout using the Workout app and then review the heart rate data in the Health app to ensure consistent readings.

Software Updates

Make sure that your iPhone and Apple Watch have the latest versions of iOS and watchOS, respectively. This will ensure that all features are available and functioning correctly.

By addressing these potential user errors, you should be able to get your health app to display REM sleep data accurately.

App permissions

When it comes to app permissions, it's important to note that the Apple Health app relies on data from other sources, such as third-party sleep apps or your Apple Watch, to provide detailed sleep data. In the case of the user who posted on the Apple Community forum, they had already granted permission to third-party apps to enter data into the Health app. However, they were still not seeing detailed sleep data, such as REM vs Deep sleep, in the Health app.

To address this issue, it's recommended to check the data sources and their priority. Here are the steps to do so:

• Open the Health app and tap the "Browse" tab.
• Tap a category, then a subcategory.
• Scroll down and tap "Data Sources & Access".
• Ensure that your Apple Watch is at the top of the list in data sources.
• If needed, adjust the order of data sources by touching and holding the "Change Order" button next to a data source, then dragging it up or down in the list.
• To turn off a data source, tap the tick next to it.

By following these steps, you can ensure that the Health app is prioritizing data from your Apple Watch, which should provide more detailed sleep data, including REM sleep information.

Additionally, it's worth noting that some third-party sleep apps, such as Fitbit Charge 3, Amazon Halo, and Garmin Vivoactive 4S, offer more advanced sleep tracking features, including the ability to track sleep stages like REM, light, and deep sleep. If detailed sleep stage data is important to you, consider using one of these third-party apps in conjunction with the Health app.

In summary, to ensure that your Health app shows REM sleep data, make sure that your Apple Watch is set as the primary data source and that you have granted the necessary permissions for the Health app to access and display this information. If you require more advanced sleep tracking features, explore the use of third-party sleep apps that integrate with the Health app.

Compatibility issues

For instance, if you have an Apple Watch and iPhone, the Health app on your iPhone may not display detailed sleep data such as REM sleep if you have also allowed third-party sleep apps to enter data into the Health app. In this case, the Health app will only show basic sleep data, such as the duration of your sleep. To resolve this issue, you can try moving the sleep apps to the top of the data sources list or prioritising the Apple Watch as the primary data source for sleep tracking.

Another compatibility issue could be related to the specific model of your device. For example, certain features of the Sleep app on Apple devices are only available for Apple Watch Series 8 or later. If you have an older model, you may not be able to access certain sleep tracking features, including the ability to view sleep stages such as REM sleep.

Additionally, compatibility issues can arise if your watch is set up as a Family Member without its own iPhone. Sleep tracking may not be available in this case, as it requires the watch to be paired with an individual iPhone.

In the case of Samsung devices, compatibility issues with the Health app not showing all sleep info were resolved by checking sync options, ensuring the watch was not in a mode restricting sync (such as power-saving mode), verifying Bluetooth connections, updating the smartwatch and Health app, and, if necessary, unpairing and resetting the watch.

Sync issues

Check Sync Settings:

• Open the Health app on your device.
• Go to the Settings or Options menu.
• Look for Sync or Sync Options and ensure it is enabled.
• If available, confirm that the sync frequency is set to automatic or as desired.

Verify Bluetooth Connection:

Ensure your phone or device is connected to the correct smartwatch via Bluetooth. Syncing requires a stable connection between the two devices.

Update Apps and Devices:

Outdated software may cause issues with data syncing. Update your health app, smartwatch, and smartphone to the latest versions available.

Reinstall Health App:

If issues persist, try reinstalling the health app. First, uninstall the app, then restart your device and reinstall the latest version of the app.

Unpair and Reset Smartwatch:

If the above steps do not resolve the issue, try unpairing and resetting your smartwatch. This will erase all data on the watch, so be sure to back up any important information beforehand. After resetting, try pairing the watch with your device again and see if syncing works.

Contact Support:

If none of the above solutions work, it is recommended to contact the customer support team of your health app or device manufacturer. They may have additional troubleshooting steps or can help identify any underlying issues with your specific device or app.

App bugs

For example, one user reported that their Apple Health app was not showing sleep stage data correctly, with some data being recorded as zero in certain categories. Another user reported a similar issue, with their app only tracking time in bed and not showing any sleep stages.

If you are experiencing issues with your health app not showing REM sleep due to app bugs, there are a few potential solutions you can try. Firstly, check that sleep tracking is enabled on your device. Ensure that your device is charged and that you have worn it for the minimum required time for sleep tracking. Verify that your device is unlocked and that wrist detection is turned on, as this is necessary for tracking sleep stages. Also, make sure that "Sleep Focus" or a similar feature is turned on, as this may be required for sleep stage tracking.

Additionally, check your sync settings and ensure that your device is synced with your account. Power-saving mode, airplane mode, and watch-only mode may interfere with syncing, so ensure these modes are not enabled. Verify that your Bluetooth connection is on and connected to the correct device. Finally, ensure that your device and the health app are up to date. If none of these solutions work, you may need to contact customer support for further assistance.

Frequently asked questions