The short answer
Yes, as a screening tool, but not as a diagnosis. In a 2026 Stanford study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 sleep apnea feature correctly flagged 94% of adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea. About one in three people without the condition were also flagged. A watch alert is a reason to get a sleep test, not a replacement for one.
Many people wear a device on their wrist that tracks steps, heart rate, and sleep. This week, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) highlighted new research asking a more serious question: can a consumer smartwatch help identify people who may have moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? The findings are encouraging, with important limits.
At Complete Health Sleep SoCal, we welcome any tool that helps more people get evaluated sooner. Sleep apnea remains widely undiagnosed, a theme explored throughout my book, Breathe Easy, Sleep Deep.
The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, tested the sleep apnea feature of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 in adults aged 22 and older. Researchers at Stanford studied 147 adults with an average age of 54. Participants either had a prior diagnosis of moderate-to-severe sleep apnea or a high likelihood of having it.
Participants wore the watch for two nights at the Stanford Health Care Sleep Medicine Center and three nights at home, and researchers compared the watch's results with overnight sleep studies. At its default setting, the watch showed 94% sensitivity and 67% specificity.
No. The researchers were clear that wearable technology is not intended to diagnose sleep apnea. The participants were also people likely to have the condition, so results in the general public may differ. A diagnosis still requires a sleep test ordered by a clinician and interpreted by a physician.
Untreated sleep apnea is associated with a higher risk of stroke, heart attack, depression, and motor vehicle accidents. Because it often goes unrecognized, anything that prompts more people to ask the question has value. A smartwatch alert can be the nudge that leads someone to finally talk to a clinician.
A wearable result is the first step. The pathway looks like this:
For many patients, a custom-fitted oral appliance is a comfortable and effective alternative to CPAP, and dentists trained in dental sleep medicine play a key role in that care. Your sleep physician and dental sleep provider can help determine what is right for you.
A smartwatch can screen for possible sleep apnea, but it cannot diagnose it. In a 2026 study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 sleep apnea feature correctly flagged 94% of adults with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea. A diagnosis still requires a sleep test ordered by a clinician.
At its default setting, the watch showed 94% sensitivity and 67% specificity compared with overnight sleep studies in 147 adults who had, or were likely to have, moderate-to-severe sleep apnea. It caught most true cases, but about one in three people without the condition were also flagged.
Apple Watch offers sleep apnea notifications, which the FDA cleared in September 2024 for Series 9, Series 10 and Ultra 2. The feature looks for signs of disrupted breathing during sleep and alerts you to possible sleep apnea. Like other wearables, it is a screening alert, not a diagnosis.
Share the result with your doctor or a sleep specialist rather than ignoring it or diagnosing yourself. The next step is a sleep study, which can often be done at home. If you have symptoms such as loud snoring, gasping at night or daytime sleepiness, ask for an evaluation even without a watch alert.
Yes. Dentists trained in dental sleep medicine work with your physician, who makes the diagnosis, and then fit and adjust a custom oral appliance that keeps the airway open during sleep. Dr. Rappaport is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and a Medicare-enrolled supplier for oral appliances.
For many adults, yes. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends oral appliance therapy for adults with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea, and for people with severe sleep apnea who cannot tolerate CPAP. CPAP remains the right treatment for many patients, so your sleep physician and dental sleep provider will help decide what fits you.
At Complete Health Sleep SoCal in Poway, we combine modern tools with personalized, hands-on care to help patients breathe easier and sleep deeper. If a smartwatch, a partner, or your own tiredness is telling you something, we can help you find out what is going on.
Request an Appointment Call (858) 956-7928
Explore the full story in my book, Breathe Easy, Sleep Deep, available on Amazon and Audible.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.
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