Inaccurate sleep tracking after updating Apple Watch to watchOS 26.0.2

Did you use the feedback already to tell Apple about it?

I'm also using the 3rd party app AutoSleep to track my sleep, since I started using the Series 5 four years ago.

This app still shows better results than the new Sleep App on the Ultra 2 in watchOS 26.

And although it uses the same data from the watch, it does not show those completely wrong awake phases.

All users having the same issue should also report this to Apple directly by using the Feedback link, to make them aware of the issue, so that they can address this in an upcoming update.

Feedback - Apple Watch - Apple

I prefer using the "Sleep Analysis" in AutoSleep, instead of the "Sleep Stages".

Sleep Analysis does not show the false being awake times that somehow showed up in the Sleep App in watchOS 26.

You can compare the settings to compare them by tapping on ->Sleep Session -> Sleep Analysis.

Then go back to the Clock View.

It’s important to note that any major update such as this latest iOS 26 might yield results that alter performance of key areas that will need proper adjustment. I’ve spent many years as a developer release beta tester, and can tell you with certainty that they take these issues very seriously, and fixes are for the most part addressed in an orderly, expedited fashion. That probably doesn’t help your frustration, but it is fair to say this issue won’t be left on the back burner indefinitely.

I’ve noticed some questionable results with my ultra 3, but since my sleep patterns are not consistent or like a typical persons- I’m not entirely surprised by my own numbers; that said there could be some that are not perfectly inaccurate.

I will report the issue as well and I do know they are aware of these forums and the issues presented here- often reaching out to those users who post experiencing such problems.

Switching to an Aura ring, in my opinion at least, might not be the best use of your money, but to each their own. Choose a store with a robust return policy in case you don’t get the accuracy or consistent performance you’ve come to expect.

With regard to new releases, I suggest waiting 1-3 months before updating after a major release to iron out these such issues. Long gone are the days where smartphones were minimalistic, basic app function devices. Today, they are the equivalent to a powerful computer. And as they continue to expand in design, ability and functionality, especially with external hardware and sensors, bugs and bug reporting and fixing are a very real part of the evolutionary process.

Again, these aren’t things  just ignores indefinitely. There is a robust beta testing community, and we too take that work as volunteers very seriously.

I do hope at least some part of this will help ease some part of the stress you (and others) might be experiencing. It may not be the reply you’d prefer to hear right now, but it is the truth. And that, in my mind, is a step in the right direction forward.

I did notice some issues prior, in 26.1 and 26.0X but now that 26.2 is public, I’ve had marked improvements in my indoor walk metrics, sleep tracking and scores, as well as the much needed improved battery performance. In fact a whole slew of bugs have been resolved, including some that even persisted prior to the iOS 26 release.

To all those who might have the time, consider joining us in reporting your issues at feedback.apple.com or Product Feedback - Apple this helps amplify the communities voice, and give them a better sense of how widespread the issues may be overall. This also impacts their prioritization when key features require a resolution asap.

[Edited by Moderator]

Same here.

I am new to apple watch and bought an Ultra 3 months age. The sleep monitor was once my favourite function, gave me motivation to earn an Excellent sleep.

But after this update the whole thing has changed. It wrongly detect my asleep as awake. The score becomes unnecessarily harsh. Say I usually sleep about 2 hours in holiday but make a much longer and deeper sleep than my usual workdays, the sleep score gave me a 8/30 bedtime score, when I wake up my body told me just had a good sleep in the morning of a holiday and the watch tell me it is just OK!

Or in another case I just awake to toilet for about 10 mins and asleep again but the watch detected as 1 hr awake tome and deducted literally all the interruption score, disappointing.

I am considering abandoning this sleep monitor and trust on my body whether I have a good sleep.

I think every serious person who do a little research understands this kind of watch sleep monitor is not accurate, and if we still use it we just want to get a casual assistant to record our sleeping time and quality. The ild casual way is good, but Apple now try to make it serious with the same hardware, it just become a worse presentation of the same non advanced stuff.

If I am serious about monitor my sleep I will go for professional devices. Apple please don’t make the whole thing to strictly and unenjoyable, Apple watch can’t be serious on detect sleep unless it detects brainwaves. Give me back the old casual sleep scoring system!

I am also having problems with my Auto Sleep data after the 26.0.2 update. The app records me being awake every time I move. It also under records my REM and Deep Sleep. I will be looking for another sleep app if this is not resolved. I did report the problem to Apple and Auto Sleep.

I have an Apple Watch 7 and after the latest IOS update my sleep score shows weird metrics like less total sleep, several awake times during the night, and overall sleep patterns that are very different than before this update. I don’t know what Apple with their algorithms but it doesn’t appear to be tracking my sleep accurately. This is a problem as I wear my watch under the direction of my physician and sleep is important.

I have not had this problem with the updates. I have the series 9 Apple Watch . In fact my sleep stages have improved due to some changes I’ve made to my sleep hygiene . This is reflected in the health app and I have the data since the update as well as 6 months worth to compare since I do monitor this. My sleep stages have In fact it have improved .

In fact it was sleeping apnea alerts that led me to get a sleep study and then a cpap machine which unfortunately didn’t work for my apneas . But I’m getting to the root cause with numerous dr appointments all thx to Apple Watch whose dx of moderate to severe sleep apnea was more accurate than the sleep studies dx of mild apnea based on the cpap recordings . So I do follow this closely and was honestly shocked by the sleep apnea dx . So you all may be having more interrupted sleep than you realize . It’s not the update .

Since the latest update 26.0.2 the sleep app on my Apple Watch Series 9 is unreliable. It show much less total sleep and almost zero REM sleep even though I remember the vivid dreams I ha e jus t before waking up. The old sleep app worked well and seemed super accurate and track well with what my FitBit used to tell me. Guess I will just have to ignore it. Is there an update to fix this in progress?

This is an example of my data. My watch is a 7.