Pokemon Sleep: What It Is and How to Play

Pokemon Sleep is a sleep-tracking mobile game that turns your actual sleep into gameplay, rewarding you with Pokemon and items based on how well and how long you rest. You play by placing your phone or a compatible device near your bed while you sleep, then checking the app each morning to see which Pokemon gathered around your campsite and what rewards you earned.

What Is Pokemon Sleep?

Pokemon Sleep launched in July 2023 for iOS and Android. It is a collaboration between The Pokemon Company and Select Button, a studio known for the fitness game Fitness Boxing. The core idea is to make sleep itself the game: the better and more consistent your sleep, the more Pokemon you attract and the more progress you make.

The game uses your phone’s accelerometer (or a Pokemon Go Plus+ device) to detect movement and sound during the night. It classifies your sleep into three types: dozing, snoozing, and slumbering. Each sleep type attracts different Pokemon species. For example, dozing sleep tends to attract Ghost-type Pokemon, while slumbering sleep attracts Normal-types. The game also tracks sleep duration and consistency, which affects your overall score and rewards.

How Sleep Tracking Works

To track your sleep, you launch the app, place your phone face-down on your mattress (or connect a Pokemon Go Plus+), and start a sleep session. The app uses the device’s microphone and accelerometer to detect your movements and sounds. It does not use the camera, and it does not record audio—it only analyzes sound levels to detect snoring or talking.

Each morning, the app generates a sleep report. It shows your total sleep time, time to fall asleep, and a breakdown of sleep stages (light, deep, REM). The report also assigns a sleep type to the night: dozing (light sleep), snoozing (REM or light), or slumbering (deep). The type is based on which stage dominated your night. This type determines which Pokemon appear on your campsite.

Your sleep score is calculated from three factors: sleep duration, sleep consistency (how regular your bedtime and wake time are), and sleep timing (how close to your target bedtime you sleep). A higher score yields more rewards, including Pokemon encounters, candies, and items.

Core Gameplay: Snorlax and Your Campsite

The main hub of Pokemon Sleep is a campsite where a giant Snorlax sleeps. Your goal is to make Snorlax grow by feeding it berries and cooked meals. Each day, you choose a Snorlax from three options (each with a different preferred berry type), and you collect berries from Pokemon that appear around your camp.

Pokemon you attract are added to your team. Each Pokemon has a specialty: berries, ingredients, or skills. Berries are used to feed Snorlax directly. Ingredients are used to cook meals, which also raise Snorlax’s strength. Skills trigger helpful effects like extra berries or healing.

As Snorlax’s strength increases, its Drowsy Power grows. Drowsy Power is the key number: it determines how many Pokemon appear when you sleep. More Drowsy Power means more Pokemon and rarer species. The game encourages you to optimize your team to maximize Snorlax’s strength each day.

How to Get Started: Step-by-Step

Download and install: Get Pokemon Sleep from the App Store or Google Play. It is free-to-play with in-app purchases.
Set up your profile: Enter your sleep goals (bedtime and wake time) and your preferred sleep type (if you have one). The game uses this to calculate your sleep score.
Choose your Snorlax: Each day, you pick from three Snorlax with different berry preferences. Pick one that matches your team’s berry types for maximum growth.
Build your team: As Pokemon appear, add them to your team (up to 5). Focus on Pokemon whose specialty matches your Snorlax’s preferred berries.
Feed and cook: Collect berries from your team and feed them to Snorlax. Cook meals three times a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner) using ingredients from your Pokemon.
Go to sleep: When you’re ready to sleep, start a sleep session. The game will track your sleep and show results in the morning.
Check your report: In the morning, review your sleep report, collect rewards, and see which Pokemon visited. You can befriend them by feeding them biscuits.

Tips for Success: Maximizing Sleep Score and Pokemon

Consistency matters: Going to bed and waking up at the same time daily boosts your sleep score significantly. Even if you sleep the same total hours, irregular timing lowers your score.
Use the right device: You can play with just your phone, but a Pokemon Go Plus+ device tracks sleep more accurately and lets you use your phone freely at night. The device also has a built-in alarm that integrates with the game.
Match berries: Always check your Snorlax’s preferred berry type and build your team around it. This is the fastest way to increase Drowsy Power.
Cook meals: Meals give a large strength boost. Try to cook every meal, even if you only have basic ingredients. Recipes are unlocked as you progress.
Use biscuits wisely: Biscuits are used to befriend Pokemon. Rarer Pokemon require more biscuits, so save your premium biscuits for Pokemon you really want.
Don’t ignore sleep type: If you consistently get one sleep type, you’ll attract more of those Pokemon. If you want a specific type, try to adjust your sleep habits (e.g., more deep sleep for slumbering) or use the “Sleep Type Change” item (available later).

Costs and In-App Purchases

Pokemon Sleep is free to download and play. It includes in-app purchases for premium currency (Diamonds) and a monthly subscription called the Premium Pass. The Premium Pass costs about $10 per month and provides extra bonuses: more biscuits, larger ingredient storage, and access to special events. You can play without spending money, but progress will be slower.

There is also a one-time purchase for the Pokemon Go Plus+ device (around $55), which is optional. The device enhances sleep tracking and offers a special Pikachu that can be transferred to Pokemon Sleep.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

“The app didn’t track my sleep correctly.” This is often due to phone placement. The phone must be on a stable surface (like a mattress) and not in your hand or pocket. Also, make sure the app is open and the screen is off. If you move a lot, the accelerometer may misclassify sleep stages.

“I slept 8 hours but got a low score.” Your sleep score is not just about duration. Consistency and timing are equally important. If you went to bed at 2 AM when your target was 10 PM, your score will be lower even if you slept 8 hours.

“Can I use the app without a Pokemon Go Plus+?” Yes, you can use your phone alone. The device is optional and mainly improves accuracy.

“Does the app record audio?” No, it only analyzes sound levels for snoring detection. It does not record or store audio clips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a smartwatch to play Pokemon Sleep? No, a smartwatch is not required. You can use your phone’s built-in sensors. A Pokemon Go Plus+ device is optional but recommended for better accuracy.

Can I play Pokemon Sleep on my iPad? The game is designed for phones, but it can run on iPads. However, you need to keep the device on your bed, which may be impractical with a large tablet.

What happens if I forget to start a sleep session? If you forget, you won’t get a sleep report for that night. You can still play the game during the day, but you’ll miss out on rewards and Pokemon encounters.

Can I transfer Pokemon from Pokemon Go to Pokemon Sleep? No, the two games are separate. However, the Pokemon Go Plus+ device can be used in both games, and it unlocks a special Pikachu in Pokemon Sleep.

Is Pokemon Sleep safe for children? The game is rated E for Everyone. It does not have chat features, and the sleep tracking is passive. Parents should be aware of in-app purchases, which can be disabled in device settings.

Does the game work while I’m traveling? Yes, as long as you have a stable surface to place your phone. Time zone changes may affect your sleep schedule, but the game will adapt.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

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