How to set up sleep schedules in iOS

With iOS 14, Apple introduced the ability to set your sleep schedules in the Health app. The function itself is not too complicated. You determine how many hours you ideally want to have each night, then set a scheduled bedtime and wake-up time that fits that goal.

Of course, you can always set up a one-time or recurring alarm in the Clock app. The main reason you would choose a sleep schedule instead is that it allows you to set a specific goal and makes it easier to automate a sleep routine. For example, you can automatically start Sleep Focus mode at your scheduled bedtime and set up sleep reminders. If you use an Apple Watch or another sleep tracker/app, you can also get notified when you meet or exceed your sleep goal.

You're also not limited to just one sleep schedule. This can be a handy tool if your work, class, or morning fitness schedule varies from day to day. However, before you can set up multiple schedules, you need to set up your first one. To do that:

• Open that Health app.
• Tap Browse Bottom right tab.
• Scroll down and tap Sleep. You should see a Set up sleep Window. Tap Get started Button. (If you don't see this option, don't worry – just skip to the next section.)
• Hire Sleep goal how long you want to sleep each night. Then tap Next.
• Set your first schedule by choosing which days you want it to be active. Move the Bedtime and waking up Slide the slider to the time you want to go to bed and wake up. You can do this by dragging the “Bed” and “Clock” icons.
• If you want a wake-up alarm, turn on the switch. Below the alarm switch you can select the alarm tone Sounds & feeladjust the alarm volume and turn it on or off Snooze switch. One special feature: You can't choose a song for a sleep schedule alarm, like you can with other alarms that are set up in the Clock app.
• Knock Next. You will then be asked to set up a sleep focus mode. However, you can skip this if necessary. You can set it up at any time by going to Settings > Focus on your iPhone.

Once you've set up your first schedule, you can add as many sleep schedules as you need. How to create additional sleep schedules:

• Follow the first three steps above.
• Scroll down to the “Your Schedule” section. Knock Full schedule and options.
• Below the “Full Schedule” heading, scroll down and tap Add schedule.
• Select which days you want the schedule to be active.
• Move the Bedtime and waking up Slider to the corresponding hours. You can do this by dragging the bed and clock icons.
• If you want to set an alarm, turn it on alarm switch. You can customize your options for Sounds & feel And Snooze Here.
• Knock Add in the top right corner.

There are also several customization options in the Health app's sleep settings. For example, you can set a settlement window by going to Health > Sleep > Full schedule and options > Additional details > Relax. Your relaxation window can be set between 15 minutes and three hours before your scheduled bedtime. At this point, your phone's sleep focus will automatically trigger. (You can also disable this setting by going to Health > Sleep > Full Schedule > Use Sleep Focus Schedule.)

Sleep Focus Mode is one of the preset focus modes that Apple introduced in iOS 15. You can access it by going to Settings > Focus on your iPhone. When you turn on Sleep Focus, you can control which people and apps can contact you, as well as edit your home screen and lock screen. You can also link a specific lock screen or home screen page.

Within the Full schedule and options You can also adjust your sleep goal and tweak other settings in Settings. In the Additional details In the Sleep Reminders section, you can choose between sleep reminders and sleep results.

• Sleep memories Notifies you when your relaxation window or bedtime is about to begin.
• Activate in the meantime Sleep results means the Health app notifies you when you meet or exceed your sleep goals. You'll need to turn on sleep tracking on your Apple Watch or integrate data from a third-party sleep tracker or app.

Previously, iOS had a Time in Bed feature that allowed users to track their sleep using just their phones. However, this has now been removed in iOS 18. Now you'll need an Apple Watch if you want specific sleep tracking data but can still set bedtime schedules without one.

If your schedule changes or the schedule you originally set up doesn't work for you, there are several ways to edit your sleep schedule. Here are some ways to do this:

• In the Health app's sleep menu, scroll down to Full schedule and options Section. Under the Complete schedule In the header you should see a list of your schedules. Under each one you should see a blue Edit Link. Tap it to optimize your schedules.
• You can also make a temporary edit. In the Health app's Sleep menu, scroll down to Your Schedule. You should see your next schedule above. Tap the blue Edit Click the link to make a temporary change just for your next alarm.
• In the Clock app, tap alarm Tab. At the top you should see the bed icon next to the sleep | Wake up Alarm. Tap Change button on the right. Drag the bed and alarm icons on the slider to your new times and tap them Completed in the top right corner. When prompted, choose whether you want to change the schedule permanently or just the next alarm.
• On Apple Watch, open the Sleep app, which is indicated by a turquoise icon with a white bed inside. To edit just your next alarm, tap the displayed schedule labeled Next. If you want to permanently edit a schedule, tap Complete schedule Button. From here, you can tap the schedule you want to edit or tap to create a new one Add schedule. If you scroll all the way down you can also edit yours Sleep goal or Relax Time.

Update, October 7, 2024: This article was originally published on August 8, 2022 and has been updated to note that the Time in Bed feature has been removed in iOS 18.