Can I Use AutoSleep and the Apple Sleep Together?

Yes. They work completely independently, so you can use both quite happily.

Some customers might like to use both apps, just some parts or turn off the Apple Sleep app completely. It's all up to what suits your sleep habits and tracking best, so we have detailed all the common questions below with helpful instructions.

Using Apple's Sleep Stages in AutoSleep

AutoSleep has integrated the Apple Sleep Stages data into the AutoSleep app, so you can use all of the amazing features of AutoSleep and view the Apple Sleep Stage data. Users will now have the choice of using (1) AutoSleep Sleep Analysis or (2) Apple Sleep Stages. 

Remember you need an Apple Watch Series 4 or higher to view this. To turn on the Apple Sleep Stages data, you can do this in Settings under the Sleep Stages menu, or you can go to the Sleep Session page, accessed from the Today or Clock tab. This has all been documented in detail in the Sleep Stages page here. Don't forget the additional setup requirements too!

What About Accuracy?

AutoSleep has been designed to help you easily evaluate and test which Sleep mode feels better for you, so you use the Apple Sleep Stages data or you can continue with the AutoSleep data. You get all the same great insights in AutoSleep regardless of the mode. 

The value in both models is in evaluating trends and variances in your personal data over time rather than looking at a single night's data in isolation or comparing to others. 

A couple limitations to be aware of using Sleep Stages is that it will not automatically track naps and has no lights-off functionality which means some limitations in how it tracks time in bed. 

We always believe more options are better than none! So AutoSleep is now fully integrated with the Apple Sleep Stages app, refer here for more information.

Does Apple's Sleep App Track Sleep Automatically?

No. You need to do these things to capture basic sleep metrics:

• Turn on 'Track Sleep with Apple Watch' in the Watch app on your iPhone. This is found under the Sleep menu item in the Watch app on your iPhone.

• Setup a Sleep Focus mode (if it doesn't already exist) by going into your iPhone Settings app, then into Focus. Apple explain all things about Focus in their official support document here.

• Turn on Sleep Focus mode on your Apple Watch before you go to sleep (this is every sleep session). Note that the Apple Sleep app will never know precisely when you went to bed unlike AutoSleep and using Lights Off.

• Additionally, if you would like to use Apple's Sleep Schedules, these can be setup by going into the Health app on your iPhone, go into the Browse tab, tap on Sleep and then into Schedules. Schedules is not part of the sleep metrics but rather aimed at improving a users sleep behaviour by wind down functions. AutoSleep however takes this to the next level, using advanced sleep bank and latest bedtime reminders based on not just your sleep duration, but your actual sleep quality.

Which Watches Work to Track Sleep?

AutoSleep supports all models of Apple Watch. 

Apple's Sleep Stages is available only for Apple Watch Series 4 and higher.

Health App Sleep Summary. What Do I Do?

One thing to consider is which app you want to use in the Apple Health app Summary views (this is only if you use the Apple Health Summary and Graph views - see below image showing the views). 

Both sleep apps work independently of each other, however the Health graphs can only show one primary source. Refer to below steps to setup AutoSleep as the primary source, but remember this only impacts the Health summary graphs, it makes no difference in using both apps.

Setting Apple Health Summary Views

Steps to follow if you would like to set AutoSleep metrics to show in Health Summary views:

• Open the Health app on your iPhone (its the little red heart icon app)

• Select Sleep in Health on the Browse tab, then scroll all the way to the bottom. 

• Select Data Sources & Access. 

• Then Edit in the top right corner of the screen. 

• Scroll to the bottom to view a list where you can move AutoSleep to the top by touching and dragging the side bars next to the app name. This will give AutoSleep precedence for sleep tracking in the Health Summary views. Just make sure AutoSleep is above your Watch and iPhone options.

Remember - AutoSleep uses its own tracking so this setting only affects Apple Health summary views.

Will My Data Be Duplicated in Health?

No. As both apps work separately you don't have to worry about seeing duplicated sleep data if you have read/write permissions to both apps. Just refer to the point above in setting the primary sleep data to assist with Health Summary views and potentially avoid confusion.

I Don't Use Apple Health Summary - Can I Just Continue Viewing AutoSleep?

Of course. No changes are required if you continue to use AutoSleep for viewing your metrics. Not too mention you get far superior sleep graphs and trend views in AutoSleep too.

I Want To Use Apple's Sleep App and Sleep Stages but view it all in AutoSleep

Easy. Refer to the Sleep Stages page here where we have documented all this up in detail.

Difference Between Apple Sleep Score & AutoSleep Sleep Rating

Apple introduced a Sleep Score with iOS 26 that aims to give you a single-number summary of how well you slept. AutoSleep also has a Sleep Rating that consolidates your core sleep metrics into a single value. This is where the similarities end, as both use a different model and metrics to report on overall sleep.

The Apple Sleep Score is heavily dependent on the sleep duration. Looking at the Sleep Score weighting of the formula, if you sleep a good amount, go to bed at consistent times and don’t wake up much, you’ll get a higher Sleep Score.

AutoSleep on the other hand goes deeper into understanding the true impact of your sleep and restoration levels, analysing your sleep duration, quality of sleep, deep sleep, and average heart rate. 

The Apple Sleep app does not use any health data when evaluating your sleep. Only movement. Apple do this to keep it very simple. However, in theory you could drink a bottle of vodka knock yourself out for 10 hours and Apple sleep would give you a very high sleep rating. AutoSleep would be the opposite :)

While both can be used as indicators, the Apple Sleep Score is a very simple and standardised sleep score, aimed at a large audience to encourage good bedtime behaviours. This is how Apple works, keeping things simple and relatively easy. 

However, the risk here is that the Sleep Score is missing critical elements of your overall sleep state. For example, research shows that having 2 or more alcoholic drinks can impact your sleep quality by up to 40%, similar to other lifestyle factors like nutrition. All of these additional factors outside of duration are captured and shown in the AutoSleep Sleep Rating, but the Apple Sleep Score will disregard these inputs, with elements like sleeping heart rate having no impact.

In short, the AutoSleep rating is a much more advanced formula in reporting your overall sleep rating, showing the real impact in a single score.

Depending on which sleep mode you use in AutoSleep, it will automatically configure the sleep rings depending on which mode you use (Apple Sleep Stages or AutoSleep Sleep Analysis). Both modes will work in conjunction with sleep time and heart rate dip. In short, the AutoSleep rating is a much more advanced formula in reporting your overall sleep rating, showing the real impact in a single score.

As we commonly explain to users, the value in scores and ratings across any health metric is in evaluating trends and variances in your personal data over time, rather than looking at a single night's data in isolation or comparing to others. Pick what feels works best for you, or use a combination of both with an understanding on how each work to get real insights.

Using Multiple Watches To Track Sleep?

This is fine and no changes are required with AutoSleep. With the Apple Sleep app any changes in the Watch Settings (the Watch icon app on your iPhone), remember to apply it to the other Watch if you use both for sleeping. If you do wear the same Watch every time for sleeping, then Apple have setup a 'Don't use this Watch for Sleep' option in Settings.

How Do I Turn Off Apples Sleep App and Just Use AutoSleep

You can easily turn off the Apple Sleep app. It is similar to the steps above in the Watch Settings and Health Settings but we are going to disable all the options instead of just the select few. Follow these steps:

• Open the Watch Settings App on your iPhone (its the app with an image Watch icon)

• Select 'Sleep' from the list of apps

• Toggle OFF all the options 'Track Sleep with Apple Watch' and 'Charging Reminders'

• Go to the Health app on your iPhone

• Go into the Browse tab and Sleep and into Full Schedules and Toggle OFF the 'Sleep Schedule' option

You have now disabled the Apple Sleep app. Remember for those with multiple Watches, to do this from the Watch you wear to bed. If you wear both Watches to bed, apply the same settings to both.

My iPhone & Watch Automatically Apply a 'Do Not Disturb', How Do I Turn Off?

This happens if you are using the Apple Sleep app wind down feature, but you can disable it. Similar to the section above we need to disable the Apple Sleep app functions that relate to the wind down feature. Follow these steps:

• Go to the Health app on your iPhone

• Go into the Browse tab and Sleep and into Full Schedules and Toggle OFF the 'Sleep Schedule' option

• Remember for those with multiple Watches, to do this from the Watch you wear to bed. If you wear both Watches to bed, apply the same settings to both

I Stopped Getting Notifications After Turning on the Apple Sleep app?

Exact same scenario as the above question, the Apple Sleep app will apply the wind down feature which turns on Do Not Disturb automatically so you get no notifications around your bed time depending on the sleep schedule you setup. But you can allow notifications from AutoSleep. Follow these steps:

• Open the the Settings app on your iPhone

• Select 'Focus' from the list

• Go into the Sleep Focus item that is setup

• In the Apps section, tap and allow notifications from AutoSleep

Can I Use The Apple Sleep Watch Face With Apples Sleep Schedule Turned Off

Yes. The only difference here is that you will need to manually turn on the Sleep Focus Mode function from the Watch controls (see the bed icon below). Once tapped, it will automatically put the Watch into sleep mode with 'do not disturb' turned on. You will need to hold/spin the crown to unlock. 

Focus Sleep Settings

Apple introduced Focus which lets you customise different 'do not disturb' activities like working or sleeping. Note that the Focus app is different to the Sleep Schedules above. The Sleep Mode in Focus is worth exploring to see the different customisations available. To open Focus:

• Go into Settings on your iPhone

• Tap into Focus

• Tap into Sleep

You then have different options such as starting sleep mode from your iPhone and allowing notifications for specific apps during sleep mode.

Not Seeing Sleep Focus Icon?

This is found by going into your iPhone Settings, then into Focus. If you cannot see a Sleep option you have to select the + (add) icon and add in the default sleep mode. Here is the official Apple link for more details, as this is all controlled by the Focus app:

https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT212608

Setting up Shortcuts in Sleep Mode

If using both AutoSleep and Apple Sleep, shortcuts can help with making AutoSleep available on the lock screen or showing your sleep stats at wake time. We have an entire section in the Shortcuts page explaining how to do this, along with getting started with shortcuts if you haven't used them before. So when the Apple sleep mode locks my iPhone, I can still use 'Lights Off' to trigger AutoSleep from the locked screen, or when I wake up I can easily access 'Sleep Rings' to see how I slept.