Why Do Pillow and Apple Health App Show Different Sleep Data Results?
Introduction
If you use the Pillow app and the Apple Health app concurrently to track your sleep, you may notice differences in the reported data. Several users have encountered these discrepancies, raising concerns about accuracy and reliability. This article explains the reasons behind these differences and offers solutions for optimizing your experience with Pillow.
Algorithmic Differences
Pillow and Apple Health app employ distinct sleep tracking algorithms, which are responsible for the differences in sleep data. These algorithms analyze sensor data differently to produce results such as total sleep, sleep cycles, and awakenings.A key limitation is that Apple has not publicly disclosed the specifics of its algorithm. Consequently, it is impossible to directly compare or analyze how Apple Health measures sleep versus Pillow's calculations.
Resolving Inconsistencies in Pillow
If you are concerned about the data captured by Pillow, you can use its re-analysis feature to refine the sleep results. Follow these steps to re-analyze your sleep data:
Open the Pillow app on your iPhone.
Tap the calendar icon located at the top-right corner and navigate to the date of the sleep session you want to re-analyze.
Scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap the "Re-analyze" button.
Select the analysis result that most closely matches your recollection of your wake time and sleep duration.
Tap "Done" to save the changes.
This feature ensures your sleep data aligns more accurately with your personal observations.
Manually Editing a Sleep Session
If the automatic re-analysis options do not match your recollection of your sleep period, use the following steps to manually edit a sleep session:
Open the Pillow app on your iPhone.
Tap "Edit" below the sleep graph for the session you want to update.
Tap on "Duration".
Adjust the sleep session by using the +/- buttons in the "From" and "To" fields. Alternatively, drag the white or grey columns on the graph’s edges to adjust sleep times.
Tap "Apply" to save the modifications. Additionally, if the re-analysis options do not align with your recollection of the sleep period, you can manually update the session's details within the app. Manual editing allows you to adjust the sleep session duration and refine the analysis further.
Summary
The difference in sleep data between Pillow and Apple Health is primarily due to the distinct, proprietary algorithms used by both systems. While Pillow offers actionable tools such as session re-analysis to enhance data accuracy, it is not possible to directly reconcile differences caused by Apple's non-disclosed algorithm.To ensure the best experience with Pillow, use its re-analysis feature and rely on your best recollections of sleep and wake periods to achieve more suitable results.If you encounter further questions or issues, feel free to consult our Support Center for additional help.
Troubleshooting and Tips for Accurate Sleep Tracking
If you encounter persistent issues with sleep tracking data, contact Pillow’s customer support team for assistance.
Ensure your Apple Watch is snug and positioned correctly before sleeping.
Regularly update the Pillow app and your device's firmware to access the latest improvements in sleep tracking accuracy.