With the release of iOS 15 in 2021, Apple introduced a feature that many users may not have fully utilized: Background Sounds. This hidden gem allows your iPhone to function as a white noise machine, enabling users to immerse themselves in various ambient sounds—perfect for lowering stress, enhancing focus, or soothing babies to sleep.
Initially, iOS 15 came equipped with six soothing sounds: rain, stream, ocean, bright noise, balanced noise, and dark noise. With the iOS 18 update last September, two additional sounds were added: night and fire. Excitingly, as we look ahead to iOS 26, beta versions have teased even more options, including unique sounds like rain on a roof and the gentle chatter of a café ambiance. Instead of investing in a standalone white noise machine, your iPhone can now handle the task beautifully and inexpensively.
Setting Up Background Sounds on Your iPhone
Enabling Background Sounds is straightforward. Follow these steps:
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Select Accessibility.
3. Tap on Audio & Visual.
4. Then, choose Background Sounds.
5. Toggle the option next to Background Sounds to activate the feature.
This menu also allows you to listen to different sounds. If it’s your first time using this feature, the sounds will download, which may take a moment. Additionally, you’ll notice two other toggles: Use When Media Is Playing and Stop Sounds When Locked. Enabling the former allows background sounds to continue even while enjoying media content, while the latter ensures sounds stop when your device is locked, preserving battery life.
Accessing Background Sounds from Control Center
For quick access, here’s how you can add Background Sounds to your Control Center:
1. Swipe open the Control Center.
2. Tap the plus (+) sign in the top left.
3. Select Add a Control at the bottom.
4. Finally, choose the Hearing control (ear icon) to add it.
Once added, tapping the Hearing icon will display options: Speaker, Background Sounds, and Live Listen. You can enable Background Sounds by tapping the musical notes next to it, or choose from the various sound options directly.
Using Accessibility Shortcuts for Quick Access
If you prefer quick toggles, you can set up an accessibility shortcut to turn Background Sounds on or off effortlessly. Here’s how:
1. Head back to the Settings app.
2. Tap Accessibility.
3. Select Accessibility Shortcut.
4. Tap on Background Sounds.
Now, simply triple-click the side button on your iPhone, and Background Sounds will toggle on or off, making relaxation or focus just a button press away.
Should you want more insights into the latest updates or features, consider exploring iPhone details, including upcoming changes in iOS 18.5 and iOS 18.4. With each new iteration, Apple continues to enhance the user experience, making everyday tasks smoother for users seeking both functionality and relaxation in one elegant device.