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 step forward in Apple's commitment to health tracking.
The iOS 26.4 beta release brings a host of enhancements, including improved sleep tracking. Users can now see their typical bedtime based on the past two weeks' sleep habits, providing valuable insights into their sleep routines. This addition complements the existing average sleep time metric, allowing users to monitor their sleep quality more effectively.
The Average Bedtime metric is part of a new Sleep Highlight in the Sleep section, making it easily accessible for users. This feature is particularly useful for those who want to optimize their sleep schedules and overall well-being. As MacRumors notes, it's a significant development in the app's sleep tracking capabilities.
Additionally, the Vitals view within Apple Health has been updated for US users, displaying blood oxygen data once again. This change comes after Apple's legal dispute with Masimo, a biotech firm, over blood oxygen measurements on wearable devices. The company temporarily removed blood oxygen detection from the Apple Watch to avoid an import ban, before reintroducing it in 2025, now accessible via 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 subscription service into smaller releases suggests a focus on incremental improvements, ensuring a steady evolution of health tracking capabilities in Apple Health.
