Does Apple watch accurately track sleep?

By: Emmanuel

Does my Apple watch accurately track sleep?

Yes, the Apple Watch tracks your sleep accurately. But just like any other device, it may not be completely accurate every time. This is because the method the Watch uses to acquire your sleep data depends entirely on how the Watch is used.

The Watch must be worn correctly on the wrist to acquire the necessary health data.

How does Apple watch track sleep?

Apple Watch uses a motion sensor and accelerometer to monitor your sleep. This sensor on the Apple Watch observes when your body is at rest and not mobile. It focuses on tracking your sleep durations and behaviors for a better night’s rest (this includes consistent wake-ups and bedtime).

Once the feature is enabled, your devices will go to sleep mode to avoid disturbing your sleep. The sleep app lets you review your night’s rest in the morning.

How to set up a sleep schedule on your Apple watch?

The primary aim of this feature on your Apple watch is to help you prepare for a good night’s sleep or rest. However, other factors determine your good night’s rest, like sleeping in a quiet, calm, or dark room. Having a consistent wake-up time and bedtime also helps.

The Apple Watch and iPhone both have this feature which allows you to set your sleep and wake-up times every night. Thirty minutes before bedtime, your Apple Watch and iPhone dim their screen and mutes any incoming notifications so you can get ready for bed.

To set up your sleep on your Apple Watch, your Watch must be running on WatchOS 7. This is available on the Apple Watch Series 3 and later. Also, your iPhone needs to be running on iOS 14 or higher. The devices capable of this update are the iPhone 6s or later iPhone models.

Once both devices are updated to the required OS, open the Health app on your iPhone and carry out the following steps:

Under Set Up Sleep, select Get started and tap on next.
Select the specific sleep feature you want to set.
To set up a sleep schedule on your Apple watch, there are different parameters you need to understand.

Sleep goals: This is the number of hours you’d like to sleep.

Bedtime and wake-up time: This setting is for the time you’d like to go to bed and the timing to wake up.

Sleep screen: This is the mode your screen will adopt when the feature is enabled to help you reduce distractions. Your iPhone can lock your screen and turn on the sleep mode once your scheduled sleep time has been reached. Also, you can permit people or apps to notify you once it’s time.

Wind down shortcuts: This allows you to add shortcuts to your home screen, like soothing playlists, meditation apps, or home scenes that will help you relax before bed.

Track sleep with Apple watches: This helps you to set up your Apple Watch for sleep tracking purposes.

How to set up bedtime and wake-up time for the Apple Watch

Open the Health app on your iPhone.
Select the Sleep feature.
Scroll down till you See the Full Schedule. Click on it to edit, or select Add schedule.
Edit your bedtime and wake-up time pattern if you don’t like the 8 hours default time.

You can also change your sleep goal in the schedule menu.

How to adjust your sleep goals for Apple Watch

To adjust your sleep goals on your Apple Watch, you can either use your iPhone or your Apple watch.

Adjusting your sleep goals on your iPhone

Open the Health app and click on browse at the bottom of your screen.
Tap on the Sleep icon.
Click on Full Schedule & Options.
Under the additional details, select Sleep Goal.
Adjust your Sleep Goal here, and once you are done, click on the time selected to save your changes.

Adjusting your sleep goals on your Apple watch

Go to the Sleep app and click on Full schedule.
Select Sleep Goal below Options.
Adjust your sleep goal by tapping on either the plus or minus button.
Once you are done, click on Sleep Goal on the upper left side of your Watch to save the changes.

Waking up with an Apple watch

You can set how your Apple watch wakes you up once your scheduled sleep time is over. There is a silent alarm which most users prefer. This alarm wakes you up using the taptic engine on your Apple watch. You can select the normal audio alarm if you don’t like the silent taptic alarm. To do this:

On the sleep app, scroll down to the bottom after editing your sleep schedule and select Wake-Up alarm.
Turn it on and click on Sound & Haptics.
Choose the alarm you prefer – the volume, sound, and taptics.
Click on Done to save your changes.

Note: The Silent alarm is a milder way of waking you up as you feel a gentle tap or vibration on your wrist, so you don’t get to disturb your partner or others around you.

How to turn off sleep schedule on my iPhone

There may be days you would like to turn off your sleep schedule in order to sleep at your desired time and wake up whenever you please. To turn off your sleep schedule;

Go to the Health app and click on browse.
Select sleep and open the Full schedule & Options menu.
Click on a Sleep schedule at the top of your screen to turn it off or on.

How to update your sleep schedule on your Apple Watch

To update your sleep schedule on your Apple Watch, you can edit either the Next Wake Up Only or Full schedule. The Next Wake Up only and Full schedule update mean the same thing.

How to Update Next Wake Up Only

Go to the Sleep app and select schedule under Next.
Click on Wake Up or Bedtime.
Tap the minutes or the hour and adjust the time with your Digital Crown.
Click on the checkmark to save your changes.
Click on the alarm to turn it on and adjust it to your preferred alarm sound, haptics, and volume.
Select Edit schedule on the left face of your Watch to save your changes for the next day.

How to Update your Full Schedule

Go to the Sleep app and select Full schedule.
Click on the schedule you would like to edit.
Select the days under Active On and choose the days you want to update your sleep schedule.
Select Done to save changes.
Click on Wake Up or Bedtime.
Tap the minutes or the hour and adjust the time with your Digital Crown.
Click on the checkmark to save your changes.
Click on the alarm to turn it on and adjust it to your preferred alarm sound, haptics, and volume.
Select Edit schedule on the left face of your Watch to save your changes for the Full schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions on Apple watch tracking sleep

Q. What to do if I wake up before my scheduled Wake-Up time?

A. If you wake up before your scheduled wake-up time, you can just exit the sleep feature. Unlock your Apple Watch by turning the Digital Crown. Swipe up or down to the Control Center (depending on your Apple Watch model). Tap on the sleep app icon to exit it.

Q. Is Apple watch the best smartwatch to track sleep?

A. Yes, the Apple watch is the best smartwatch to track your sleep. This is because it is the most accurate device for monitoring sleep duration. Although it might not be 100% accurate, it is better than other smartwatches in the market used to track sleep.

Q. How to see my recent sleep history?

A. To see your recent sleep history, go to the sleep app on your Apple watch. Scroll down till you see your previous sleep history. You can also make use of your iPhone. Go to the Health app and select browse. Click on sleep, and here you will see your sleep history.

Wrap Up

The Apple watch is more than an ordinary technological device to track your sleep. But this article has explained how you can use it to track sleep accurately and other relevant information.

If you have any questions, kindly leave them in the comments below. Thanks for reading.

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