I turned my old Android phone into a sleep companion—and it’s better than my smartwatch
I turned my old Android phone into a sleep companion—and it’s better than my smartwatch
https://www.howtogeek.com/i-turned-my-old-android-phone-into-a-sleep-companion/
Publish Date: 2026-06-25 13:31:00
Source Domain: www.howtogeek.com
I tried using my Galaxy Watch as a sleep tracker, but it never really stuck. So, I went in the opposite direction and turned an old Google Pixel 6a into a dedicated bedside sleep companion instead. After making a few specific optimizations, it not only helped improve and stabilize my sleep schedule but also did a decent job of tracking my sleep.
Why I never got into a smartwatch as a sleep companion
I don’t like being touched while I sleep
Credit: Hannah Stryker / How-To Geek
The first smartwatch I ever bought—the Galaxy Watch 4—was specifically for sleep tracking. But here’s the thing: I’d never worn a wristwatch in my life. And having that constant pressure around my wrist actually made it harder to fall asleep.
Sure, I could loosen it for a more comfortable fit, but that would hurt the overall accuracy. The sensors on the back of the watch need to stay in contact with my skin to take accurate measurements, but if it’s strapped on loosely, and I move around in my sleep, it won’t be able to measure my heart rate or blood oxygen levels with any meaningful accuracy.
There’s also the issue of charging. Using your smartwatch to track sleep complicates the charging schedule. A typical Android smartwatch like my Galaxy Watch 4 only gets around 20–24 hours of battery life. If I charge it at the start of the day, there’s a good chance it might die in the middle of the night. But…
