How to Track Sleep with Apple Watch

Your Apple Watch can track how long you sleep, how often you wake up during the night, and how much time you spend in deep, light, and REM sleep stages. This information shows up in the Health app on your iPhone every morning. And you can share it with your doctor if you are working on sleep problems. Many older adults are surprised by what their watch reveals. You might think you slept eight hours, but the watch shows you were actually awake for an hour in the middle of the night. That kind of insight helps you and your doctor figure out what is going on. To track sleep, you need to wear your Apple Watch to bed. The watch is comfortable for most people, and a snug (but not tight) band gives the most accurate readings. Battery life is the main concern. A modern Apple Watch lasts 18 to 36 hours. So you will want to charge it during the day, perhaps while you shower or eat dinner. This guide explains how to turn on Sleep Tracking, set your watch up so it does not wake you with notifications, charge it without breaking your routine, and read your sleep data the next morning. We also cover what the numbers mean, what is normal for older adults, and when you might want to bring the data to your doctor. You do not need any third-party apps. Apple's built-in Sleep app does everything most people need. By the end of this guide, you will be able to wear your watch confidently to bed, wake up to a gentle alarm, and check your sleep history with a couple of taps.