Sun ExposureSun Exposure Pro
First Light
What time did you first get daylight today? First Light shows you, next to sunrise and the time you woke up.
Why morning light matters
Getting daylight soon after waking helps anchor your circadian rhythm, the internal clock behind your energy, mood and sleep. Most people have no idea when they actually first step outside. Your Apple Watch does.
How First Light works
Your Apple Watch records Time in Daylight with its ambient light sensor. First Light is the first moment each day that it measured daylight. Sun Exposure compares that moment with:
- Sunrise where you are, so you can see how long after sunrise you got outside.
- Your wake time, if you track your sleep and allow Sleep access, so you can see how soon after waking you got light.
The First Light Lag chart in the History tab plots both over time. Set a Time to First Light goal in Settings › Goals & Alerts and it becomes the goal line on the chart.
On your wrist
First Light has its own widget and watch complication. On Apple Watch, the First Light card can appear in the Smart Stack around the time you wake up. Ask Siri “When was my first light in Sun Exposure?” for a quick answer.
What you need
- An Apple Watch that records Time in Daylight: Series 6 or later, SE (2nd generation) or later, or any Ultra, with watchOS 10 or later.
- Sun Exposure Pro.
- Location, so Sun Exposure knows your local sunrise. Approximate location is enough.
- Optional: sleep tracking with Sleep access, for the comparison with your wake time.
Questions about First Light
What is First Light?
First Light is the time your Apple Watch first measured daylight each day, and how long after sunrise that was. Getting daylight soon after waking helps anchor your circadian rhythm.
If you track your sleep and allow Sleep access, First Light also shows how soon after waking you got outside. You can set a Time to First Light goal in Settings > Goals & Alerts. First Light is part of Sun Exposure Pro.
Why is my data delayed?
Your Apple Watch saves Time in Daylight in batches, and Health syncs it to your iPhone in the background, so new time can take a while to appear, especially on your iPhone. Opening Sun Exposure on your watch shows the latest data it has saved, and adding a Sun Exposure widget helps the app refresh more often.
Which watches are compatible?
Time in Daylight is recorded by Apple Watch Series 6 and later, Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) and later, and every Apple Watch Ultra, with watchOS 10 or later. The first-generation Apple Watch SE and Series 5 and earlier can't record it.
Start Your Sun-Smart Journey Today
Free on the App Store for iPhone and Apple Watch.
Download on the App StoreiPhone with iOS 18 or later. Automatic tracking needs an Apple Watch with watchOS 10 or later.
Disclaimer: Sun Exposure gives estimates, not medical advice. Consult your doctor to determine the right amount of sun exposure for you. Always use sunscreen, hats, and shade as needed.