It’s normal for wearables to occasionally show false “awake” periods. The AlterMe ring estimates sleep using movement and heart rate, not brain activity, so certain changes in your body can be interpreted as wakefulness—even if you stayed asleep.
Common reasons for false “awake” readings:
Restless sleep: Tossing, turning, or frequent movement can be detected as awake time
Elevated heart rate: Spikes in heart rate during sleep may signal wakefulness
Stress or cortisol spikes: Physical or mental stress can cause brief nighttime arousals
Alcohol or late meals: These can disrupt sleep cycles and create more fragmented sleep
Sensor placement or fit: A loose or improperly positioned ring can reduce accuracy
What you can do
Check your ring fit: Make sure it’s snug (but comfortable) with sensors on the palm side
Consider lifestyle habits: Limit alcohol, heavy meals, and caffeine close to bedtime
Reduce stress before bed: Wind down with calming activities to support more stable sleep
Look at trends over time: One night of data isn’t as important as your overall patterns
Edit your sleep (iOS only): You can manually adjust your sleep times in the app if needed. See our FAQ: How do I edit my sleep in the AlterMe app?
Trust how you feel: Short, unremembered wake-ups are common—even with good sleep
Brief “awake” periods are often part of normal sleep—even if you don’t remember them. Occasional inconsistencies are expected, and your long-term sleep trends matter most.
iOS users can adjust their sleep duration anytime in the app—[learn how here]. Android sleep editing is coming soon!