Inaccurate sleep tracking after updating Apple Watch to watchOS 26.0.2

With the latest apple watch update 26.0.2, the sleep tracking on my series 8 watch has significantly changed. With the update, it is showing an inaccurate number of wake ups, poor rem and deep times. Total time asleep is not correct. Immediately after the update, the sleep tracking app is showing a significant number of wake ups as compared to the prior results before the update. I suspect the watch is super sensitive and recording incorrectly, wakeups and under reporting Rem and Deep. This is a major reporting change and I am wondering if others in the community have experienced problems with the accuracy and analytics with the latest update. 26.0.2



[Edited by Moderator]

Windows, Windows 11 (26100)

Posted on Oct 9, 2025 10:39 AM

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7 replies

Oct 24, 2025 9:05 AM in response to Jmzm221

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.

Oct 24, 2025 6:56 AM in response to aport5

I am deeply disappointed and frustrated by the recent iOS 26 update. Since the update, my sleep tracking has significantly deteriorated. I have been utilizing an Apple Watch for three years to monitor my sleep patterns, and it has proven to be an invaluable tool. However, with this new update, it indicates that I have been awake for approximately two to three hours each night, records minimal REM sleep, and virtually no deep sleep. It is disheartening to note that using other third-party sleep tracking applications does not yield improved results, as they all rely on data from the Apple Watch. I am at a crossroads, uncertain of how to achieve better sleep quality, given that I have been asleep for a considerably longer duration than previously, spending over 30 minutes in the REM stage each night. While I am a staunch advocate for the Apple ecosystem, I am now considering an Aura ring as an alternative solution. If given the opportunity to revert to iOS 18, I would likely do so, as I purchased the watch specifically to enhance my sleep. Regrettably, it has only exacerbated my morning anxiety.

Oct 31, 2025 6:16 AM in response to aport5

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.

Nov 1, 2025 4:47 PM in response to Ingo2711

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?

Inaccurate sleep tracking after updating Apple Watch to watchOS 26.0.2

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