iOS 26.4 Enhances Sleep Tracking and Health Monitoring Features
Apple’s forthcoming iOS 26.4 update introduces significant enhancements to the Health app, focusing on sleep tracking and health monitoring capabilities. These updates aim to provide users with a more comprehensive understanding of their health metrics and promote better sleep habits.
Introduction of Average Bedtime Metric
A notable addition in iOS 26.4 is the Average Bedtime metric within the Health app’s sleep tracking feature. This new metric calculates the average time a user goes to bed over a two-week period, offering insights into sleep patterns and consistency. By comparing the actual bedtime with the usual bedtime, users can assess how consistent their sleep schedule is and understand its impact on sleep quality.
The Average Bedtime metric is presented in a new Sleep Highlight card, which provides a visual comparison between actual and average bedtimes. This feature complements the existing seven-day average sleep duration metric introduced in iOS 26.3, allowing users to evaluate both the quantity and regularity of their sleep in a consolidated view.
Enhancements to Health Vitals Overview
In addition to sleep tracking improvements, iOS 26.4 updates the Health app’s Vitals overview, particularly for users in the United States. The update reintegrates blood oxygen data into the daily line graph, enabling a unified view of all tracked health signals. Previously, blood oxygen readings were displayed separately due to a patent dispute with Masimo, which led to an import ban and the removal of on-watch blood oxygen measurements in early 2024. Although direct measurement of blood oxygen levels on the Apple Watch remains unavailable in the U.S., users can now view this data on their iPhone within the Health app after syncing supported information.
Availability and Release Timeline
As of now, iOS 26.4 is accessible to developers and public beta testers. Apple plans to release the update to the general public in the spring. Users interested in exploring these new features can participate in the beta program or await the official release.
Conclusion
The iOS 26.4 update underscores Apple’s commitment to enhancing user health and wellness through technology. By introducing the Average Bedtime metric and updating the Health Vitals overview, Apple provides users with more tools to monitor and improve their health. These features offer valuable insights into sleep patterns and overall health, empowering users to make informed decisions about their well-being.
