How to set up sleep schedules in iOS

iOS 14 brought the ability to schedule your sleep in the Health app. The feature itself isn’t too complicated. Once you have determined how many hours of sleep you would like to get each night, you can set a schedule for bedtime and wake up that will suit that goal.

You could also set up a repeating or one-time alarm in the Clock app. The main reason why you’d opt for a sleep schedule instead is that it allows you to set a specific goal and more easily automate a sleep routine. You can, for example, set up sleep reminders and Sleep Focus mode to automatically launch at the time you choose. You can also be notified if you reach or exceed your sleep goals if you wear an Apple Watch or other sleep tracker/app.

You’re not limited to just one sleep schedule, either. This is a great tool for those who have different jobs, classes, or morning fitness routines. However, before you can create multiple schedules you must first create your first one. This is how you do it:

Image by Apple

• Open the Health app.
• Tap the BrowseTab on the bottom right
• Scroll down and tap Sleep. You should look at a Get to Sleep window. Tap the Get Started button. (If you don’t see this option, no worries — just skip down to the next section.)
• Set a Sleep GoalYou can set how long you want each night to sleep. Tap then Next.
• Your first schedule will be set by selecting the days that you want it to work. Move the Get up and go to bedSlider to change when you want your alarm to go off and when to get up. Drag the Clock and Bed icons.
• To activate a Wake up alarm, toggle the toggle. You can choose the alarm sound you want below the Alarm toggle. Sounds & HapticsSet the alarm volume and then turn on or off your computer. Snooze toggle. One quirk: you can’t select a song for a sleep schedule alarm like you can in other alarms set up in the Clock app.
• Tap Next. You’ll then be prompted to set up a Sleep Focus mode, but you can skip this if you want. You can also set it up by going to Settings > Focus On your iPhone.

Once you’ve set up your initial schedule, you can then add as many sleep schedules as you need. To create additional sleep schedules:

• Follow the three steps.
• Scroll down to the Your Schedule section. Tap Full Schedule & Options.
• Scroll down and tap the Full Schedule heading Add Schedule.
• You can choose which days you wish the schedule be active.
• Move the Get up and go to bedSlider to set the appropriate hours. Drag the Clock and the Bed icons.
• You can set an alarm by switching on the Alarm toggle. You can adjust your options. Sounds & Haptics Snooze here.
• Tap AddIn the upper-right corner.

Customizing sleep schedule settings

There are also multiple customization options within the Health app’s Sleep settings. You can also set a Wind Down timer by going to Health > Sleep > Full Schedule & Options > Additional Details > Wind Down. Your Wind Down window may be set anywhere from 15 minutes up to three hours prior to your scheduled bedtime. At that point, it’ll automatically trigger your phone’s Sleep Focus. You can also disable this setting by going here Health > Sleep > Full Schedule > Use Schedule for Sleep Focus.)

Apple introduced the Sleep Focus mode in iOS 15. You can access it by visiting Settings > FocusYour iPhone. You can set Sleep Focus to allow you to edit who and what apps can contact you, as well as your homescreen and lock screen. When iOS 16 arrives this fall, you’ll be able to also link a specific Lock Screen or Home Screen page. (If you’re impatient, here’s how you can download the iOS 16 public beta.)

Within the Full Schedule & OptionsYou can adjust your Sleep Goal and other settings in the settings. You can also adjust your Sleep Goal and other settings in the Additional Detailssection, you can choose whether to enable Track Time In Bed with iPhone, Sleep Reminders or Sleep Results.

• With iPhone, track time in bedIt analyzes your sleeping patterns based on when and where you use your phone most often during the night.
• Reminders for SleepNotifies you when your Wind Down window is about to close or Bedtime is about.
• In the meantime, enabling Sleep ResultsThe Health app will notify users whenever your sleep goals are met or exceeded. You’ll need to enable sleep tracking on your Apple Watch or integrate data from a third-party sleep tracker or app.

Editing sleep schedules

If your schedule changes or the one you initially set up doesn’t work for you, there are several ways to edit your sleep schedule. Here are some options:

• In the Health app’s Sleep menu, scroll down to the Full Schedule & Options section. The section. Full ScheduleYou should see your schedules under the header. Below each schedule, you will see a blue Edit link. To edit your schedule, tap it.
• You can also make a temporary change. In the Health app’s Sleep menu, scroll down to Your Schedule. You will see your Next schedule at the top. Tap the blue EditYou can only use this link to make a temporary modification for your next Wake-Up alarm.
• Tap the icon in the Clock App Alarm tab. You will see the Bed icon at the top. Sleep | Wake Up alarm. Tap the ChangeThe right-side button Drag the alarm icons and the bed onto the slider to set your new times. DoneIn the upper right-hand corner. When prompted to do so, select whether you want the schedule to be permanently changed or if you would like to change the next alarm.
• Open the Sleep app using the Apple Watch. It’s marked by a turquoise button with a white mattress in it. Tap the labeled schedule to edit your next alarm. Next. Tap the to edit a schedule permanently Full Schedule button. By tapping, you can edit or create a new schedule. Add Schedule. Scroll down to edit your profile. Sleep GoalOr Wind Down time.