Garmin Nap Mode explained: Manual tracking, how it works and which watches

For a long time, Garmin watches didn't track when you took a nap - but that's all changed with the arrival of a certified Nap Mode.

Available on a limited amount of Garmin devices, Nap Mode allows users to manually or automatically have their afternoon siesta or post-workout power nap accounted for.

Below, we'll list all the watches with Nap Mode, how the feature works, and how you can view the crucial napping stats in Garmin Connect. 

Which Garmin watches have Nap Mode?

After arriving through the Garmin Venu 3 and Vivoactive 5 in August 2023, Nap Mode has now rolled out to a decent crop of modern Garmin watches.

As ever, it's still possible the feature will continue rolling out to older devices, and we'll update this list if and when they gain Nap Mode.

• Approach S70 series
• D2 Mach 1 series
• Descent Mk3 series
• Enduro 2
• Epix (Gen 2) and Epix Pro (Gen 2)
• Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Pro series
• Forerunner 255 series
• Forerunner 265 series
• Forerunner 955 series
• Forerunner 965 series
• MARQ (Gen 2) collection
• Quatix 7 and Quatix 7 Pro series
• Tactix 7 and Tactix 7 Pro series
• Venu 3 series
• Vivoactive 5 series

How does Nap Mode work?

Nap Mode, as you would imagine from the name, is fairly self-explanatory. With that said, there are a couple of caveats to how it works that will help you get the most out of it. 

Garmin suggests that naps should be less than three hours long (or they'll be classed as sleep), and they'll have to take place outside your typical sleep window to be logged, too.

So, if you want naps to be tracked correctly, ensure they happen at least one hour after you wake up and end an hour before your typical bedtime. 

Garmin also doesn't track sleep stages during naps - given they're unlikely to form in short bursts of rest.

As long as your naps adhere to these mini set of rules, you should see it boost both your Body Battery and Sleep Coach suggestions.

How to manually track naps on Garmin

Wareable

We've noticed that our Garmin device isn't the best at logging naps automatically. Luckily, there's another way to get Nap Mode tracking working - and even Garmin recommends that this manual method is preferred for optimal results. 

First, you'll want to add the 'Naps' widget to your glances - which, if you're unsure, mimic the steps we've outlined for adding the sleep widget on Garmin.

Then, follow these steps:

1. Enter your list of glances by using a button or by swiping. 

2. Select the 'Naps' glance. 

3. Press the top-right button on your Garmin device.

4. If your Garmin watch requires, press the button again when 'Start Nap' is highlighted.

5. Use the buttons to decide whether you want a nap timer, and for how long.

6. Press the top-right button to start the timer and nap tracking.

How to view your naps in Garmin Connect

Wareable

There are actually quite a few ways you can see the tracking and effects of your naps.

Doing so on your watch is easiest, of course. Viewing the widgets for Body Battery and Sleep Coach will allow you to get some insights, but the Naps widget itself will provide the core details.

However, you can also do this through Garmin Connect.

Nap Mode data in Body Battery

1. Open Garmin Connect on your iOS/Android device.

2. Tap the 'More' section from the bottom row of tabs. 

3. Next, hit 'Health Stats' and 'Body Battery'.

4. Nap data will be under the 'Factors' heading.

Nap Mode data in Sleep Coach

1. Open Garmin Connect on your iOS/Android device.

2. Tap the 'More' section from the bottom row of tabs. 

3. Next, hit 'Health Stats' and then 'Sleep'.

4. Select 'Sleep Coach' from the tab next to 'Sleep Score'.

5. Nap details will be listed alongside 'Sleep History' and 'Activity History'.