If you have an Apple Watch, you already know about its features, such as measuring heart rate, resting energy, and so on. However, did you also know that you can track your respiratory rate with the Apple Watch, too?
Before jumping into that, let me tell you what respiratory rate is. Respiratory rate tells you about your breathing patterns. These breathing patterns vary if you are sleeping, running, or doing a hardcore exercise.
Keeping a track of your respiratory rate is important because it indicates whether your lungs are healthy or not.
How the Apple Watch Measures Respiratory Rate
Apple Watch comes with a built-in accelerometer and a heart-rate sensor. This helps in measuring your breaths while you are sleeping or resting, in order to calculate your breaths per minute.
The accelerometer monitors your movements at night, along with your heart rate. The results are also pretty accurate, especially with the newer Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2.
If you experience serious issues with your breathing patterns, it is best to consult a doctor. For general monitoring, the Apple Watch has WearableXP’s seal of approval!
Why Your Apple Watch Respiratory Rate Is Incorrect
Apple Watch Not Worn Properly
If you fall under the category of people whose Apple Watch respiratory rate is incorrect, then you must check if you have worn it properly. There could be a fitting issue. When my Apple Watch is extremely tight, it gives me incorrect readings because it creates unnecessary pressure on my wrists.
The same applies when it is too loose, where it either fails to record readings or gives an incorrect reading. The rule goes that if you want your Apple Watch readings to be accurate, be it for any metric, you need to wear it properly.
Incorrect Sleeping position
Apple Watch records your respiratory rate while sleeping. A missed or incorrect reading might be because of the misplacement of the Apple Watch from your wrist while sleeping, which is pretty common. Although it can be a little uncomfortable to sleep wearing your Apple Watch, you can try a different strap, like the sports bands or silicone kind, that won’t slip and slide while you snooze.
Software Bugs
Outdated software is also a cause of your Apple Watch not working properly. I always like to keep my Apple Watch updated because it works best this way. Outdated software gives you incorrect readings, has a lot of glitches, and is not easy to work with.
To update your Apple Watch, go to Settings > General > Software Update and check if any updates are available. Before doing this, I always ensure my Apple Watch is fully charged and that I do not perform any other tasks that could interfere with the process.
Factors To Consider To Ensure Apple Watch Records Your Respiratory Rate
| Factor | What To Do |
|---|---|
| Sleep Tracking Enabled | Make sure sleep tracking is set up in the Health app and enabled on Watch. |
| Watch Worn During Sleep | Wear your Apple Watch snugly and consistently overnight. |
| Battery Charge | Charge your watch to at least 30% or more before bed. |
| iPhone Nearby? | Not required, but data syncs after reconnection. |
| watchOS Version | Use watchOS 8 or later (Respiratory Rate tracking started with this version). |
| Fit & Position | Ensure a secure but comfortable fit (not too loose or tight). |
| Optional: Breathe Sessions | Use the Mindfulness app for one-time measurements if not tracking sleep. |
| Sleep Focus On | Activate Sleep Focus mode to avoid interruptions and help log sleep. |
Final Thoughts
With all that said, let me tell you that your Apple Watch does record your respiratory rate, but you can only see it on your iPhone. Yes, this was shocking for me as well. There is no way you can know about your respiratory rate on your Apple Watch.
