Apple Watch: New sleep tracking feature found in iOS 26 code

Early code from iOS 26 revealed hints of a possible new feature for the Apple Watch: a sleep score. Apple doesn't currently offer such a numerical analysis, although other manufacturers have been offering similar features for years. The elements now discovered indicate that Apple is working on a sleep score that takes various health metrics into account and could potentially provide an assessment of your daily performance.

The Apple Watch has been able to track sleep for some time now – including REM, core, and deep sleep, as well as waking hours and time spent in bed. What's missing so far is a score that summarizes sleep quality in a single metric. Many users of other wearables like Fitbit or Oura are already familiar with this. With iOS 26, there are now initial indications that Apple plans to integrate this feature in the future. Whether it will be included with watchOS 26 hasn't been confirmed, but the clues in the code are clear.

First clues in the iOS 26 code

The discovery comes from Steve Moser, who discovered a graphic in the Health app in the beta version of iOS 26. It shows an Apple Watch with the number 84 on the watch face. Surrounding it are three bars in different colors: orange, light blue, and dark blue. These colors are similar to those Apple already uses for sleep stages. Orange probably represents waking time, light blue for REM sleep, and dark blue for deep sleep. In addition, various symbols related to sleep are arranged around the graphic: a moon with stars, the "zzz" symbol, a bed, a sleep stage symbol, an alarm clock, and a thermometer. All of these icons are also used elsewhere in iOS for sleep tracking.

Name of the graphic indicates new function

The image is internally called "Watch Focus Score." This suggests that it's a new assessment that not only evaluates sleep itself, but could also provide clues about how well you'll function the next day. The term "Focus" could indicate that the score measures not only sleep duration, but also its quality and its impact on concentration or performance.

Possible integration of additional health data

The thermometer icon is particularly striking. It could indicate that Apple is incorporating additional health data into the assessment—for example, temperature changes during sleep. This would put the new feature in the same vein as the Vitals overview introduced with watchOS 11, which combines multiple vital metrics to better capture overall health.

Apple Watch currently without sleep score

While the Apple Watch can track sleep phases, it lacks a sleep assessment in the form of a score. Other wearables have been providing daily sleep ratings for some time now – usually as a number between 0 and 100. This gives you an at-a-glance impression of how restful your sleep was. The fact that Apple doesn't yet offer this feature is a noticeable disadvantage compared to the competition for many users.

How concrete is this all?

Aside from the discovered graphic, there is currently no further evidence of a sleep rating in the iOS or watchOS code. There is no menu item, no function in the app, and no description in the system. Therefore, it is unclear if and when the feature will arrive. It is possible that this is an early internal test version. It is also conceivable that Apple is preparing the feature for the update to watchOS 26, which is expected to be released later this year.

iOS 26 gives first hints of new Apple Watch feature

Apple appears to be working on a new feature for the Apple Watch that will assess sleep and potentially predict your daily performance. The first clues come from the iOS 26 code, where a graphic called "Watch Focus Score" was discovered. It shows a clock with colored bars, a numerical value, and various sleep icons. While there's no confirmation yet, the evidence suggests that Apple is trying to close a gap in current sleep tracking. (Image: Shutterstock / PixieMe)