Apple's Hidden White Noise Feature Gains Renewed Attention
Apple's iPhones include a "Background Sounds" feature that plays ambient noises to help users concentrate, relax, or sleep. Despite being available since iOS 15, this feature has remained relatively unknown to many users.
Accessible through Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > Background Sounds, users can choose from various sounds, including ocean waves, rain, stream, balanced noise, bright noise, and dark noise. These sounds can play continuously, even when other media is active, providing a relaxing backdrop for various activities.
iOS 18.4 Introduces Ambient Music for Enhanced Mood Control
With the release of iOS 18.4, Apple has expanded its focus on user wellbeing by introducing a new "Ambient Music" feature. This addition offers curated playlists tailored to specific moods and activities, such as Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing.
Users can add these categories to the Control Center for quick access, allowing them to create a relaxing atmosphere with just one tap.
Users cannot manually select tracks from the Control Center but can use the Dynamic Island (on compatible iPhones) or the Now Playing widget to skip songs and view the current track name.
User Reactions and Benefits
Users who have discovered the Background Sounds feature report positive experiences.
One Reddit user shared, "I actually use the background sounds to help sleep because I cannot sleep in silence."
Another mentioned, "I use this all the time when studying in coffee shops."
The feature has been praised for its ability to mask unwanted environmental noise, enhance concentration, and aid in relaxation. Its integration into the iPhone's settings means users don't need to rely on third-party apps for similar functionality.
Have you tried Apple's Background Sounds or the new Ambient Music feature? Explore them in your iPhone's settings and share your experience.
For more tips on utilizing your device's hidden features, stay tuned to our updates.