Apple Watch sleep tracking is a way to estimate sleep duration, awake time, and REM, Core, and Deep sleep when you enable it, charge the watch to at least 30%, and wear it for at least one hour.
What You Need
| Requirement | What to do |
|---|---|
| Compatible setup | Use an iPhone with the latest iOS and an Apple Watch with the latest watchOS |
| Battery | Charge Apple Watch to at least 30% before bed |
| Wearing time | Wear Apple Watch while sleeping for at least one hour |
| Tracking setting | Turn on Track Sleep with Apple Watch |
| Fit | Wear the watch securely but comfortably |
Apple Watch cannot record sleep if its battery runs out during the night. Sleep tracking also does not work on Apple Watch models set up with Apple Watch For Your Kids, formerly called Family Setup.
How to Set Up Sleep Tracking on Apple Watch
1. Open the Health App on Your iPhone
Open Health, then find Sleep. Depending on your iOS version, Sleep may appear under Browse or Search.
Tap Set Up Sleep or Get Started, then follow the onscreen instructions.
2. Set Your Sleep Goal and Schedule
Choose your:
- Target sleep duration
- Bedtime
- Wake-up time
- Schedule days
- Wake-up alarm
- Wind Down time
- Sleep Focus settings
You can create different schedules for different days, such as one for weekdays and another for weekends.
3. Turn On Apple Watch Sleep Tracking
During setup, turn on Track Sleep with Apple Watch. The watch can then collect sleep data while you wear it overnight.
If you set up Sleep before pairing your Apple Watch, enable the setting later in the Health app or in Apple Watch app on iPhone > My Watch > Sleep.
4. Wear Apple Watch to Bed
Put on the watch before your scheduled bedtime. It should fit closely enough to maintain skin contact without causing discomfort.
Apple Watch uses sensors such as the accelerometer and heart-related sensors to estimate sleep periods and stages. These results are estimates, not the results of a clinical sleep study.
How to See Sleep Data on Apple Watch
Open the Sleep app on your watch. You can review:
- Sleep duration
- Time spent awake
- REM sleep
- Core sleep
- Deep sleep
- Recent sleep averages
- Sleep data from the previous 14 days
Turn the Digital Crown to move through the information.
How to See Detailed Sleep History on iPhone
- Open the Health app.
- Tap Browse or Search.
- Tap Sleep.
- Select a sleep chart or tap Show More Sleep Data.
The Health app can show sleep stages, total sleep duration, progress toward your sleep goal, heart rate, and respiratory rate. Depending on the data available, you can also review daily, weekly, monthly, and six-month views.
How to Make Apple Watch Sleep Tracking More Reliable
Charge the Watch Before Bed
Apple recommends charging Apple Watch to at least 30% before you sleep. You can turn on Charging Reminders so the watch reminds you to charge it before Wind Down time.
Wear It Securely
The band should stay in contact with your wrist throughout the night. A loose fit can allow extra movement and affect sleep measurements, while a tight fit may cause discomfort.
Keep Sleep Tracking Turned On
Setting a bedtime and wake-up alarm does not automatically mean Apple Watch will record sleep. Check that Track Sleep with Apple Watch is enabled and wear the watch overnight.
Use Sleep Focus for Overnight Vitals
Sleep Focus reduces interruptions during scheduled sleep periods. Apple Watch also requires Sleep Focus and sleep tracking to be set up for some overnight Vitals features, including typical ranges for heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, and sleep duration.
What to Do if Apple Watch Is Not Recording Sleep
Check the following:
- Confirm that Track Sleep with Apple Watch is turned on.
- Charge the watch before bed.
- Wear it for at least one hour.
- Check that the band fits securely.
- Update the Apple Watch and iPhone software.
- Open the Health app and confirm that Sleep data is being saved.
- Make sure the watch is paired with the correct iPhone.
If Sleep Focus is on but no data appears, check whether the watch ran out of battery and whether you wore it during the sleep period.
What Apple Watch Sleep Tracking Can and Cannot Tell You
Apple Watch can estimate sleep duration, awake periods, and time spent in REM, Core, and Deep sleep. On supported models, it can also provide overnight measurements such as respiratory rate and wrist temperature.
Apple Watch is not a medical device. Treat sleep stages, respiratory measurements, and sleep-related notifications as information rather than a diagnosis. If you receive a sleep apnea notification or have symptoms such as loud snoring, gasping, or ongoing daytime sleepiness, speak with a healthcare professional.