Better Sleep with Apple

Your Apple Watch isn’t just for fitness tracking and notifications—it can also help you build better sleep habits and understand your sleep patterns over time. Whether you’re trying to get more rest or stay consistent with your bedtime routine, the Sleep app can support your goals right from your wrist.

Here’s a simple guide to help you set up, use, and get the most out of the Sleep app on Apple Watch.

Source: Apple

1. Set Up Sleep Tracking on Your iPhone

Before you start using the Sleep app on your Apple Watch, you’ll need to set it up using the Health app on your iPhone.

To get started:

1. Open the Health app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the Browse tab.
3. Scroll down and select Sleep.
4. Tap Get Started, then follow the onscreen steps to:
   • Set your sleep goals (how many hours of sleep you want each night)
   • Create a sleep schedule (bedtime and wake-up time)
   • Choose a wind down period before bed
   • Enable Sleep Focus to minimize distractions

Source: Apple

2. Set Up Sleep in the Apple Watch App

Once Sleep is set up on your iPhone, it will sync with your Apple Watch.

To check or adjust settings:

1. Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap Sleep.
3. Make sure Track Sleep with Apple Watch is turned on.
4. Enable Charging Reminders if you’d like a nudge to charge your watch before bed.

Tip: Your Apple Watch needs to have at least 30% battery before bedtime to record your sleep. I usually make sure my Watch is fully charged before I go to bed.

Source: Apple

3. Track Your Sleep Automatically

Once everything is set up, your Apple Watch will automatically track your sleep while you wear it to bed.

Here’s what happens:

• When your Sleep Focus is active, your watch enters Sleep Mode: the screen dims, and notifications are silenced.
• Your watch tracks:
  • Time spent in bed
  • Sleep stages (REM, Core, Deep)
  • Heart rate and respiratory rate

You don’t need to do anything extra – just wear your watch to sleep.

Source: Apple

4. View Your Sleep Data

To see how well you slept:

On your Apple Watch:

1. Open the Sleep app.
2. Scroll to view your sleep summary, including how many hours you slept and a breakdown by sleep stages.

On your iPhone:

1. Open the Health app.
2. Tap Browse, then select Sleep.
3. Tap Show More Sleep Data for deeper insights and trends over time.

Source: Apple

5. Edit or Customize Your Sleep Schedule

You can always tweak your schedule if your routine changes.

On your iPhone:

1. Open the Health app.
2. Go to Sleep > Your Schedule.
3. Tap Edit next to the sleep schedule you want to change.
4. Adjust your bedtime, wake-up time, or alarm.

You can also add multiple schedules – perfect especially if your weekday and weekend routines are different.

6. Get the Most Out of the Sleep App

• Use Wind Down: This feature helps you transition into sleep by turning on relaxing shortcuts, like calming music or a meditation app.
• Track Consistency: Over time, the Sleep app shows how consistent your sleep habits are—helping you spot patterns or areas for improvement.
• Combine with Other Health Metrics: Sleep data works alongside heart rate, activity, and mindfulness tracking for a full picture of your well-being.

Final Thoughts

Using the Sleep app on Apple Watch is a simple and effective way to build healthier sleep habits. Once you’ve set it up, it works quietly in the background – giving you helpful insights without interrupting your rest.

Make it a habit to review your sleep data regularly, adjust your schedule when needed, and let your watch be your guide to better sleep.