Apple Health's New Average Bedtime Metric: A Sleep Tracker's Evolution
Marko Zivkovic
February 17, 2026
The Apple Health app has just received a significant update with the introduction of an Average Bedtime metric, offering iPhone users a comprehensive view of their sleep patterns. This new feature, alongside a blood oxygen graph in the Vitals section, marks a substantial enhancement for Apple Health.
The iOS 26.4 beta release brings a host of improvements, including enhanced features for Apple Podcasts and Apple Music. However, the focus here is on Apple Health's new sleep tracking capabilities. Users can now access their typical bedtime based on the past two weeks of sleep data, providing valuable insights into their sleep habits.
This Average Bedtime metric is a significant addition, as it complements the existing average sleep time metric in iOS 26.3. By tracking this metric, users can better understand their sleep patterns and make informed decisions to improve their sleep quality.
The Vitals view within Apple Health has also been updated for US users, with blood oxygen data now displayed alongside other vital metrics. This change comes after Apple's legal dispute with Masimo, a biotech firm, over blood oxygen measurements on wearable devices like the Apple Watch. As a result, blood oxygen detection was temporarily removed from the Apple Watch, and later reintroduced in 2025, available only on a paired iPhone.
The iOS 26.4 beta testing phase has just begun, and future updates may introduce more health-related features. Apple's decision to split its planned 'Apple Health' subscription service into smaller feature releases suggests a continued focus on incremental improvements in the health and wellness space.
This update is a testament to Apple's commitment to providing users with more detailed health insights, ensuring that their devices become even more valuable tools for personal well-being.
