Sleep Session
The Sleep Session page can be opened from the Today tab or the Clock tab. For most users this will show one primary sleep, but it may show multiple sleeps if you had additional sleep sessions over the 24 hour period, such as a nap.
From the Today or Clock tab, tap on the Sleep Session to drill into the Sleep Session details, showing a graph and reports including sleep analysis, sleep stages, sleep efficiency, health report, SpO2, respiratory rate and environmental noise reports. This is also where you can switch between AutoSleep Sleep Analysis and Apple Sleep Stages, with Stages using the Apple Sleep app data which is available on Apple Watch Series 4 and above running WatchOS 9 or higher (refer to the below for switching between these modes).
Multiple Sleep Sessions (Including Naps)
AutoSleep may show multiple sleeps depending on the 'time awake/in bed session' minutes you have setup in Advanced Options in Settings. For example, if you had a nap during the day this will show as a new sleep session under your main sleep, as seen below an afternoon nap shows as 'Sleep Session 2' on the day after my primary night sleep. Tap on any of the sleep sessions to view more information on that session.
Apple introduced Sleep Stages into its Sleep app as part of the WatchOS 9 release. AutoSleep has fully integrated with the Apple Sleep Stages data. This allows users with an Apple Watch Series 4 or above to access Sleep Stage data (note that AutoSleep Sleep Analysis still works for all models of Apple Watch).
We have a dedicated page to understanding everything about Sleep Stages here.
Please note you can also switch Sleep Stages on and off by going into the AutoSleep Settings and then tapping on the menu items called Sleep Stages:
Sleep View Graph
This displays your sleep cycle through your sleep, showing when you were awake or in deep sleep. The red line is your average sleeping heart rate. Check boxes are below the graph, allowing you to turn on or off your heart rate (bpm), noise (dB), respiration rate (BrPM) and blood oxygen (SpO2). Tap on a check box and provided you have available data for that metric, it will show on the graph and show as a 'tick' in the checkbox. If you do not have data for that metric, it will provide a link with information on how to collect it.
In the example below I have my heart rate (bpm) and respiration rate showing which overlaps against my sleep cycles:
Sleep View Micro Pop-Up Graph
You can tap on any part of the graph and a micro pop-up graph will appear showing a 15 minute segment during that time period showing any movement/activity recorded. The higher the movement, the more activity you were (see below). A legend box will also display any readings for that point in time below the graph, replacing the checkboxes described above. Touch and slide your finger along the graph and the pop-up micro graph will slide and update too, allowing you to see your sleep data minute by minute. The micro graph shows averages for the 15 min segments and will also populate based on your checkbox selections. Sliding your finger along the graph is a fascinating way to explore your key sleep metrics.
In the example below I have my heart rate (bpm) and respiration boxes selected. When I tap on the graph a micro graph pop-up appears, showing my movement for the 15mins (green line) and the bpm and respiration measurements that were recorded in that time segment. They also show an average line for bpm and respiration, providing me extra context.
Note: if using an older iPhone or Apple Watch, you may not require the SpO2 and Respiration Rate boxes. To save some space you can hide these boxes by going into Settings - Advanced Options - Hide Micro Graphs
To learn more about using and setting up SpO2 click here
To learn more about using and setting up Respiration Rate click here
To learn more about using and setting up Noise refer to the Environmental Noise section below
Straight Lines VS Curved Lines
The choice is all yours. By default the lines in the Sleep View Graph will show as straight, but if you prefer the curve just go to Settings - Advanced Options and enable the 'Curved Lines' switch. Note that the straight lines help reflect a more precise measure, as they don't need to curve to the next data point, but its really personal preference and both offer a great representation.
Sleep Report
Depending which mode you have selected in the Sleep Session graph, such as 'Sleep Analysis' or 'Sleep Stages', this will split your sleep stages into how much duration you spent in each stage, with the circle badge reflecting the colours and amount. In the example below, I can easily see lots of blue in the circle badge, meaning most of the sleep duration was in the light stage.
If you are using the Lights Off feature, the duration it took to fall asleep will appear in the 'Fell asleep in'. If you do not use 'lights off', then it will appear as 0 hours 00 mins.
Sleep Efficiency
Sleep efficiency is the ratio of time asleep versus time spent in bed. A sleep efficiency rating of 85% or higher is considered normal. Above 90% is good. However, close to 100% can indicate that a person is very fatigued (you know that saying, "asleep before my head hit the pillow"). Efficient sleep usually leads to a higher amount of quality sleep and deeper sleep. A star rating from 1 to 5 stars will also appear for your sleep efficiency.
To get the most accurate sleep efficiency rating using AutoSleep it is recommended that you use the Lights Off feature to track the time that it takes you to fall asleep.
Heart Report
The Heart Report shows your heart rate dip % by comparing your sleeping heart rate average to your non-active, non-sleeping previous 24 hour heart rate average.
Studies have shown that a dip of 10% or higher is an important part of sleep health, however some people have no dip at all. This can be due to medical conditions, pacemaker or lifestyle. If you find that this is the case, then you can adjust your goal to "Low Dip" in the Set Goals in Settings. This will then remove heart rate as a factor in deep sleep calculations and adjust the graphs and scales in AutoSleep. Some people have an extremely high dip. If yours is generally 20% or higher every day, then you should change the goal to "Athlete" in the Settings.
Respiration Report
The Respiration Report shows your average breathes per minute (BrPM), grouping the readings into BrPM over 20, between 12-20, and under 12. Studies have shown that in healthy individuals the respiration range is from 12 to 20 BrPM.
Note that only for users with an Apple Watch Series 3 or later with WatchOS 8 running can record respiration rate. Sleep mode is also required to be enabled to record BrPM. Refer to the Respiration Rate page for more information.
SpO2 Report
For those users with an Apple Watch Series 6 tracking their blood oxygen, SpO2 represents the percentage of the haemoglobin in your red blood cells that are carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of your body. Research has shown that the average SpO2 during sleep in healthy individuals is 95% to 97%. This drops lower with age to between 93-97% for those over 60.
The SpO2 Report shows your average SpO2 for the sleep along with the low and high range. A pie chart will show the breakup of anything above 95%, between 90% to 95% and measures below 90%. You can also take a manual blood oxygen reading when you wake up and this will record a daytime baseline SpO2, giving you a reference point to compare against your sleep SpO2. You can continue to record manual blood oxygen measurements during the day, for example at lunch and before bed when still, and the values will update as required.
For best results with the SpO2 Report, ensure these 2 steps:
You take a manual SpO2 reading at least once per day, preferably on waking after your waking breathe session
Remember to enable all 3 settings in the Watch settings app (black icon with image of a Watch) in the Blood Oxygen section. Refer to the SpO2 page for more information on setup and using blood oxygen.
Environmental Noise
If you have a Series 4 or higher Apple Watch, you can now see environmental noise levels in your daily sleep view graph at the top of the screen. This shows a summary of average and peak noise and how they relate to some common sounds. Just tap on the Noise checkbox to overlay. Any louder sounds are shown in a darker colour. You can touch and slide on the graph to now see noise levels minute by minute, along with how you moved.
NOTE: We've found that you will get the best results with this feature if you add the "Noise" complication to your sleeping Watch face.
The Environmental Noise graph at the bottom shows your nightly average and peak during your sleep. We have added some decibel references to help compare.
Environmental Noise Setup
If you are not seeing any environmental noise data, here are the steps to check:
Have an Apple Watch Series 4 or above
Get on the latest iOS and WatchOS versions, noise requires at least iOS13+ and your Watch running WatchOS 6+.
If you have all that and aren't seeing noise on your sleep session graph then there are two things to check:
Go into the Apple Watch settings app. It has a black icon with a picture of a Watch. Select noise. Turn it on. See image below.
If still not working, then go into iPhone Settings, Privacy, Health, AutoSleep and make sure that environmental noise health permission is turned on.
NOTE: Some customers are experiencing a bug in iOS 15 that shows a blank permission page. If you encounter this problem then try this method instead:
Go into Apple Health app on iPhone. It has a white icon with a red heart.
Select Sharing tab.
Scroll down and select Apps.
Select AutoSleep.
You can now manage permissions.
