Can Your Smartwatch Track and Detect Sleep Apnea? Apple, Samsung, Fitbit, Garmin & More

By: Kenzie Dubs · Published February 04, 2019
Man wearing a smartwatch with caption
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Experts estimate that 80% of people with sleep apnea don’t even know they have it. One solution is using personal health trackers, such as smartwatches or other wearable devices, to identify signs of sleep apnea.

While these devices are not designed to diagnose sleep apnea, they are really helpful for identifying people who are at risk and need to be evaluated by a doctor. This is an important first step, as going undiagnosed and untreated can lead to serious long-term health complications and even increase your risk of death.

Recently, our team met up with sleep scientist and TED speaker, Dr. Daniel Gartenberg, PhD, to discuss the relationship between smartwatch technology and sleep apnea. In this article, we will cover:

  • How a smartwatch detects sleep apnea

  • What their limitations are

  • Capabilities of popular wearables

  • Smartwatch versus diagnostic sleep test

  • Next steps for those at risk for sleep apnea

What you need to know about using a smartwatch for sleep apnea

  • Your smartwatch cannot diagnose sleep apnea.
  • The FDA has approved some smartwatches to send an alert for possible sleep apnea events, including Apple Watch 9, 10, & Ultra 2 and Samsung Galaxy Watch7 and Ultra.
  • Most other wearables offer health reports and vital sign tracking, which can help you identify signs of sleep apnea.
  • It's possible to have sleep apnea even if your health data looks normal.
  • This technology serves as a tool to help you decide when it's time to see a doctor about a sleep test.

Table of contents

Can a smartwatch detect sleep apnea?

Wearables cannot diagnose any medical condition of any kind. However, many smartwatches canbe used to track potential warning signs of sleep apnea. And some of the newest smartwatches can identify breathing disturbances associated with obstructive sleep apnea with a high degree of accuracy.

While the FDA has not approved these devices to actually diagnose sleep apnea, the health data they provide offers a lot of insight into whether or not you are at risk of sleep-disordered breathing.

Smart health trackers report sleep apnea warning signs that tell you when it’s time to see a doctor.

Headshot of Dr. Daniel Gartenberg  in black and white

“Consumer wearables can provide warnings regarding the possibility of sleep apnea, but I would not recommend using these types of devices to diagnose sleep apnea or determine its severity. For an actual diagnosis, you’ll need to see a doctor and use an FDA-approved device to get truly reliable measurements.”

Dr. Daniel Gartenberg, PhD

Sleep Science Expert

CEO of SleepSpace

Science Says

A 2024 study found that new-generation smartwatches did a great job of identifying people with sleep apnea.

  • 75-96% of the people who received a risk alert were later confirmed to have OSA

  • The more severe the OSAS, the better the smartwatch detected it

Not all wearables have the same capabilities

Early devices track basic signs of poor sleep.

Most early-generation wearables only track your physical movements, which may tell you if you are experiencing poor sleep quality, but not necessarily sleep apnea. Still, knowing you’re struggling to get good sleep each night may be all the motivation you need to go see your doctor. Some of these devices may also pair with a snoring app to detect severe snoring.

Mid-generation wearables track health trends that may be affected by sleep apnea.

Mid-generation technologies, like Apple Watch 6 or Samsung GalaxyWatch 4, usually track sleep quality and vital signs which can be impacted by sleep apnea. Keeping an eye on your overall health trends can help you determine if you’re seeing a pattern of sleep apnea.

Newest technology successfully estimates moderate to severe sleep apnea episodes.

Recently some of the newer smart devices have been FDA-approved to accurately track breathing interruptions that are specifically associated with moderate to severe OSA. This currently applies to Apple Watch 9 and newer and Samsung GalaxyWatch 7 and newer.

Headshot of Dr. Daniel Gartenberg  in black and white

“Devices like Apple Watch Series 9 and above can provide you with a warning that you may have breathing disturbances and that you need to get tested by an FDA-cleared device that can be used to fully diagnose sleep apnea.”

Dr. Daniel Gartenberg, PhD

Sleep Science Expert

CEO of SleepSpace

Even the newest, most advanced technology has limitations.

The purpose of a sleep apnea alert feature is to encourage people who are most at risk to see a doctor to get an actual diagnosis and treatment plan, not to detect any and all sleep apnea episodes. There are limitations to this technology:

  • Cannot track or identify central sleep apnea episodes

  • Does not send an alert for mild obstructive sleep apnea

  • Not approved to diagnose any form of sleep apnea

  • Should not be used on children or teens under 18 years old

  • Cannot give an accurate analysis with just one night of data

  • Likely to miss small changes to vital signs caused by sleep apnea

  • Sleep stage estimates tend to be inaccurate

How do smartwatches track signs of sleep apnea?

The beauty of using a smartwatch to detect possible signs of sleep apnea is that these devices are already designed to track your sleep patterns, vital signs, and other health data. The technology piggybacks off of a form of sleep apnea testing that already exists– Home Sleep Apnea Tests (HST). However, the sensor technology is less sensitive on these non-prescription devices.



New FDA-approved devices estimate sleep apnea risk based on wrist movement.

FDA-approved wearables track potential obstructive sleep apnea episodes using an advanced sensor called an accelerometer. This technology works by picking up even small movements in the wrist. Here’s how it works:

  • Sleep apnea episodes temporarily interrupt deep sleep

  • These arousals cause your body to twitch

  • Smartwatch picks up on these subtle movements in the wrist

  • That event is recorded as a breathing disturbance

  • Too many of these episodes can be a sign of OSA

  • Once you pass that threshold watch sends a sleep apnea risk alert

Shifts in individual vital signs and sleep quality could be caused by sleep apnea.

While smart devices currently cannot pick up on the tiny changes you’d see on an official sleep apnea test, there is some overlap in their capabilities. These areas include:

  • Sleep patterns and quality

  • Cardiovascular activity

  • Blood oxygen levels

  • Body movements during sleep

  • Snoring

  • Airflow into the lungs

Headshot of Dr. Daniel Gartenberg  in black and white

“Wearable algorithms can vary tremendously in terms of how they work and their accuracy. To accurately estimate sleep stages, heart rate data is needed.”

Dr. Daniel Gartenberg, PhD

Sleep Science Expert

CEO of SleepSpace

Signs of Sleep Apnea Device Capabilities Data Trends to Look For
Elevated Sleep Apnea Events FDA-approved sleep apnea features track tiny wrist movements that indicate breathing disturbances Too many breathing episodes means a higher risk for obstructive sleep apnea.
Poor Sleep Quality Many smartwatches track sleep versus wake time, plus estimate sleep quality and stages. OSA interrupts deep sleep and cuts into overall sleep time, leading to poor sleep quality.
Changes Heart Rate & Rhythm Most health trackers record heart rate and newer models also record heart rhythm. Pulse slows down during sleep apnea episodes, then speed up when it’s over.
Oxygen Saturation Dips Many devices record blood oxygen intermittently throughout the day. Moderate-severe sleep apnea can cause average blood oxygen levels to drop slightly.
Increased Body Movement Health trackers record body movement using accelerometer technology. OSA events may cause you to move around more at night, especially if you temporarily startle awake.
Irregular Breathing Patterns Some devices are able to measure breathing rate. Sleep apnea may cause you to breathe more slowly than normal.
Nightly Snoring Many wearables detect snoring. Regular, loud snoring is a sign of OSA.

Trends to watch for if you’re using a wearable for sleep apnea

While smartwatches are not specifically designed to track sleep apnea or estimate your risk of a sleep disorder, the reports they provide can offer insights that help you decide when it’s time to see a doctor.

That said, this information should never override your own instincts. If you think you could be at risk for sleep apnea the best thing you can do is ask your doctor for a sleep apnea test.

Sleep apnea can affect your nighttime vital signs.

Even if you use a newer smartwatch that offers sleep apnea alerts, it’s important to keep an eye on all of your sleep health data and vital signs. Things like blood oxygen levels, heart rhythm, or sleep quality can be affected by sleep apnea.

Here are some ways sleep apnea could affect your nightly health reports and vital signs:

  • Sleep apnea risk alert (new, FDA-approved devices only)

  • Lower oxygen levels at night

  • Changing heart rate at night

  • Poor sleep quality

  • Getting a full night’s sleep but still feeling tired

  • Loud snoring (sometimes only available via a snoring app)

  • Episodes where you are startled awake

These devices are not perfect though, so listen to your body.

Just because your data looks normal doesn’t mean you don’t have sleep apnea. It's important to listen to your body. If you snore loudly every single night, choke or gasp for air, wake up with low energy, or often feel tired even after getting a full night of sleep there is a good chance you could have sleep apnea.

Dr. Dan’s advice? The sensors in your body are wayyy more advanced than any smartphone. Keep a journal of your sleep trends with any sleep apnea symptoms you may be experiencing. 

Headshot of Dr. Daniel Gartenberg  in black and white

“These devices are helpful tools but a lot of times people will see that their results are normal and they’ll think, “My pulse oxygenation is in the high 90s, so I don’t think I have sleep apnea.” this might not be the case. Sleep apnea is defined by slight drops in blood oxygen levels (among other metrics). You can be experiencing a sleep apnea event and your oxygen levels may only dip 3%. Therefore, it is possible that your smartwatch or ring report could look normal, but in reality, your sleep could still be affected by sleep apnea. So if you even think you could have sleep apnea, it’s best just to go ahead and get tested.”

Dr. Daniel Gartenberg, PhD

Sleep Science Expert

CEO of SleepSpace

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Close-up of a hand wearing a small finger sleep apnea testing device, representing the at-home sleep apnea test offered by cpap.com.

Wearables and smartwatches for sleep apnea

The following smart devices cannot replace an actual sleep study. Therefore, they cannot definitively tell you whether or not you have sleep apnea. However, many of these devices do track relevant health data that can be impacted by a sleep disorder like sleep apnea.

Health tracking can only tell you whether or not you are experiencing some of the signs of sleep apnea. Some new-generation devices can tell you if you are experiencing breathing episodes that are associated with sleep apnea.

Can Apple Watch detect sleep apnea?

Apple Watches 9 and beyond include a sleep apnea feature Breathing Disturbances, which records potential breathing disruptions caused by obstructive sleep apnea. If you experience too many of these episodes you will receive an alert informing you that you could be at risk for sleep apnea and that you need to see a doctor.

Relevant features:

  • Breathing Disturbances*

  • Heart Rate

  • Heart Rhythm (ECG)

  • Blood Oxygen Levels**

  • Physical Movements

  • Sleep Quality

  • Respiratory Rate

  • Number of Hours Spent Asleep

  • Detects Loud Snoring***

*Breathing Disruptions available with select watches

**Blood Oxygen unavailable on watches sold after January 2024

*** Snore Detection may require an app

About Apple Watch Sleep Apnea Feature

  • Available with Series 9, 10, Ultra 2, and newer

  • You must wear your watch at least 10 nights over 30 days

  • Algorithm is set to catch potential cases of moderate to severe OSA

  • People with mild to moderate sleep apnea often go undetected

  • It is not FDA-approved for central sleep apnea

  • Purpose is to inform you that you may need a sleep test

Can Samsung Galaxy Watch detect sleep apnea?

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra and Watch 7 were actually the first devices to be FDA-approved to track potential sleep apnea episodes. The technology behind this Sleep apnea detection feature works pretty similarly to the Apple Watch. It looks for subtle signs of a breathing disturbance caused by obstructive sleep apnea and sends an alert if you experience too many episodes.

Relevant features:

  • Sleep Apnea Detection Feature*

  • Heart Rate

  • Heart Rhythm (ECG)

  • Blood Oxygen Levels

  • Physical Movements

  • Respiratory Rate

  • Number of Hours Spent Asleep

  • Snore Analysis

  • Sleep Score

*Breathing Disruptions available with select watches

About Samsung Galaxy Watch Sleep Apnea Feature

  • Available with Galaxy Watch7, Ultra, and newer

  • Sleep apnea feature will soon be available for Watch4 and newer

  • You must wear your watch at least 2 nights over a 10-day period

  • Algorithm is set to catch potential cases of moderate to severe OSA

  • People with mild to moderate sleep apnea may not get an alert

  • It is not FDA-approved for central sleep apnea

  • Purpose is to inform you that you may need a sleep test

Can Garmin detect sleep apnea?

Like most current smartwatches, Garmin is capable of tracking your sleep health , but it does not have a dedicated sleep apnea feature. This includes reporting information that could hint that you are experiencing signs of sleep apnea. This data can be accessed via the Advanced Sleep Monitoring feature on Garmin Connect.

Relevant Features:

  • Advanced Sleep Monitoring

  • Heart Rate

  • Heart Rhythm*

  • Blood Oxygen Levels

  • Physical Movements

  • Respiratory Rate

  • Number of Hours Spent Asleep

  • Detects Loud Snoring***

*Heart Rhythm available with Venu 2 Plus and newer

Can Fitbit detect sleep apnea?

Fitbit devices do not have a sleep apnea tracker, but they are capable of detecting vital signs that are relevant to sleep apnea! While they cannot be used to officially diagnose sleep-disordered breathing, the newest oxygen sensor feature makes Fitbit a useful tool.

These devices provide insights alerting you to potential warning signs of sleep apnea, but the data is not perfect and normal results do not automatically rule out sleep apnea.

Relevant features:

  • Heart Rate

  • Heart Rhythm

  • Blood Oxygen Levels

  • Physical Movements

  • Sleep Quality

  • Respiratory Rate

  • Number of Hours Spent Asleep

  • Snoring

Can Oura Ring detect sleep apnea?

Although it cannot officially diagnose any condition, the Oura Ring also offers several features that make it perfect for keeping you informed on changes to your sleep health, which may be useful for tracking signs of sleep apnea.

Relevant features:

  • Heart Rate

  • Blood Oxygen Levels

  • Physical Movements

  • Respiratory Rate

  • Number of Hours Spent Asleep

Can Pixel Watch detect sleep apnea?

While the Google Pixel Watch cannot diagnose or detect sleep apnea, it includes several advanced health-tracking features , including sleep reporting. By tracking key sleep-related metrics, the Pixel Watch can provide insights that may indicate the presence of sleep apnea.

Relevant features:

  • Heart Rate Monitoring

  • Blood Oxygen Levels

  • Sleep Quality

  • Respiratory Rate Monitoring

  • Number of Hours Spent Asleep

Can WHOOP detect sleep apnea?

WHOOP devices offer several features that can help monitor your sleep health and potentially identify signs of sleep apnea. By tracking various physiological metrics, these devices provide insights that may indicate irregularities in your sleep patterns that may be impacted by sleep apnea.

Relevant features:

  • Heart Rate Monitoring

  • Heart Rate Variability

  • Blood Oxygen Levels

  • Sleep Quality

  • Respiratory Rate Monitoring

  • Number of Hours Spent Asleep

What is the best smartwatch for sleep apnea?

If you want to know whether your body is showing signs of sleep apnea the best devices are ones that actually include a sleep apnea feature with the most advanced sensors for tracking important sleep and health metrics:

  • Apple Watch 9

  • Apple Watch 10

  • Apple Watch Ultra 2

  • Samsung Galaxy Watch7

  • Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra

If you want a slightly older watch with advanced sleep health tracking, We suggest going with something like the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 or Watch5. Samsung has announced that these watches will soon be approved for tracking breathing interruptions linked to sleep apnea episodes. 

For traditional sleep tracking, Dr. Dan suggests an Oura ring, FitBit, or Apple Watch.

Headshot of Dr. Daniel Gartenberg  in black and white

“For consumer wearables, the most accurate devices are Oura, Fitbit, and Apple Watch when compared to gold standard polysomnography data. My research team did one of the first validation studies of such consumer wearables, which you can see the details about in this journal article that I worked on.” 

Dr. Daniel Gartenberg, PhD

Sleep Science Expert

CEO of SleepSpace

What to do if your smartwatch shows signs of sleep apnea

Once you’ve realized that you could be experiencing sleep apnea, it’s time to talk to a doctor about getting tested for OSA. 

There are a few options, but the easiest is to order a Home Sleep Test from an online provider.

This route usually involves setting up a telehealth consultation to discuss concerns, your doctor will then order the HST and have it mailed directly to your door.

Once you’ve completed your overnight test, you send the equipment back and get your results within a couple of weeks. If the test confirms that you have sleep apnea, you will be provided with a prescription for a CPAP machine, which you can fill online or at a brick and mortar store.

If you have a complex medical history or are concerned that you may have central sleep apnea, it may be better to go see your primary care physician in person. Depending on your concerns, your doctor may order their own home test or they might suggest a more in-depth sleep apnea test called a polysomnogram.

A smartwatch cannot replace a diagnostic sleep apnea test

Polysomnogram

An overnight sleep study conducted in a specialized lab with a registered sleep technician present. These tests involve advanced vital sign tracking, including body movements, airway resistance, and brain waves.

Home sleep test

An HST is an FDA-approved alternative that can be done alone in the comfort of your own home while using minimal equipment with specially designed sensors. Similar to wearables, they track things like heart rate, blood oxygen levels, hand/wrist movements, etc.

Smartwatches and health trackers

These devices are designed to report basic vital signs and health data. Some even detect possible sleep apnea events. Still, they are not capable of diagnosing sleep apnea just yet, but they can make you aware of concerning trends that put you at risk for sleep apnea.

Differences between polysomnogram, home sleep test, and smartwatch and health trackers
Headshot of Dr. Daniel Gartenberg  in black and white

“It’s easier and more affordable than ever to get tested for sleep apnea nowadays with at-home-sleep-apnea testing, I recommend being relatively liberal when it comes to getting evaluated. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so get tested if you think there is any chance that you could have sleep apnea.”

Dr. Daniel Gartenberg, PhD

Sleep Science Expert

CEO of SleepSpace

Accurate sleep apnea testing must measure basic metrics

To be FDA-approved to diagnose sleep apnea these tests must be able to analyze a specific set of vital signs. This list is collectively named SCOPER. While newer smartwatches can track data from these same categories, the results aren’t quite as in-depth compared to what you’d get from an HST. Older models may share some of the more basic capabilities as well, such as heart rate and movement.

  • Sleep

  • Cardiovascular System

  • Oxygen Saturation

  • Body Position

  • Respiratory Effort

  • Airflow

(S) Sleep

People with sleep apnea get fewer hours of sleep and  spend less time in deep sleep. Some smartwatches track your sleep quality, including the number of hours spent in  each stage of sleep . If you aren’t getting good quality sleep, you may have sleep apnea.

(C) Cardiovascular System

When you have a significant sleep apnea episode, your heartbeat will temporarily slow down before abruptly speeding up as soon as you resume normal breathing. Most smartwatches can determine your heart rate and, in some cases, may even be able to report your actual cardiac rhythm. If you see your heart rate changing a lot, it could be a sign of sleep apnea.

(O) Oxygen Saturation

Many of the newest smartwatches have the ability to track your blood oxygen levels. If your oxygen levels temporarily fall and then recover during sleep, it may be a sign that you are experiencing periods of slow or even no breathing due to sleep apnea .

(P) Body Position

People with sleep apnea tend to move more often during sleep because they wake up gasping for air . Some people also experience an abnormal increase in Periodic Limb Movements as they sleep. Most smartwatches are designed to detect when you move around even at night. This is the feature used to estimate risk in smartwatches that send sleep apnea alerts.

(E) Respiratory Effort

Sleep apnea impacts your breathing in many ways. People with OSA often have to work harder to breathe while they are asleep because their airway is partially or totally blocked. Some smartwatch devices offer the ability to track your respiratory rate by measuring your chest movements while you sleep.

(R) Airflow

“Airflow” essentially refers to how difficult it is for air to flow into your lungs. When you have sleep apnea, you have a high amount of airway resistance due to airway obstruction. While wearable devices cannot tell you exactly how much resistance you are experiencing, many of them can help detect snoring, which is a sign of airway resistance.

Looking toward the future of wearables in sleep health

Although these devices aren’t currently approved to diagnose sleep apnea, the technology is really close. We will probably see people diagnosed with sleep apnea using a ring or smartwatch within a few years.

Frequently asked questions

What Apps Detect Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

There are many sleep-tracking apps available on iPhone and Android platforms, such as SleepSpace and SnoreLab. These apps provide insight into your sleep health, which may alert you to the signs of sleep apnea.

Is There a Watch That Monitors Sleep Apnea?

New-generation Apple Watches and Samsung Galaxy Watches have been FDA-approved to detect potential sleep apnea episodes but cannot provide an actual diagnosis. Other wearable devices are equipped with advanced sensors that can track sleep stages, oxygen saturation levels, and heart rate, which can help you decide whether you need to be tested for sleep apnea.

Can a Smartwatch Tell if You Have Sleep Apnea?

Smartwatches and fitness trackers collect an impressive amount of health and wellness data, much of which can be used to identify certain sleep-breathing patterns that are associated with sleep apnea. However, these devices are not FDA-approved to provide an official diagnosis.

Will My Doctor Put Me On CPAP if My Apple Watch Says I Have Sleep Apnea?

Apple Watches cannot officially diagnose you with sleep apnea, but they can tell you if you are exhibiting signs of this sleep disorder. If you are concerned that you may have sleep apnea and need a CPAP machine, it is best to see your healthcare provider, who can order a diagnostic sleep test.

How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?

An official sleep apnea diagnosis must be made with a polysomnogram or a Home Sleep Apnea Test. In order to qualify for a mild sleep apnea diagnosis, you must experience at least five apnea episodes per hour of sleep.

Final Thoughts

So, to recap– can smartwatches detect sleep apnea? Yes, but they can’t be used to give you an official diagnosis. Smartwatches and fitness devices are great for identifying the signs of sleep apnea so that you know when it’s time to speak to your doctor.

If you suspect you have sleep apnea or any other sleep disorder, you should speak with your healthcare provider about actual diagnostic testing via a sleep study. If you’re considering using a smart device to track your sleep apnea, we suggest using an Apple Watch, Garmin, or Fitbit!

Need help? Contact us!

  • Call: 1-800-356-5221
  • Email: support@cpap.com
  • Chat: Connectwith a CPAP Guide through our website or app

Kenzie Dubs - Sleep Health Educator

Written and Edited by Kenzie Dubs. Kenzie combines her background in biology and nuclear medicine with a passion for demystifying sleep apnea. She crafts science-based content to guide readers through their CPAP journey, drawing from both professional healthcare experience and personal connections to sleep apnea.

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