The iPhone has its own white noise machine: Here’s how to use it

Many people turn to white noise to improve focus, reduce stress, or enhance sleep quality. Instead of purchasing a separate device, iPhone users can access built-in ambient sounds through a feature called Background Sounds. This function, introduced with iOS 15 and expanded in iOS 18, offers a selection of natural and white noise sounds that can play continuously or alongside music and podcasts.

How to enable Background Sounds on your iPhone

To activate this feature, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap Accessibility.
3. Select Audio & Visual.
4. Tap Background Sounds.
5. Toggle on Background Sounds at the top of the menu.

Once enabled, you can choose between rain, stream, ocean, bright noise, balanced noise, dark noise, night, and fire. If using it for the first time, your iPhone will need a moment to download the sounds.

How to access Background Sounds from Control Center

For quick access, you can add a shortcut to the Control Center:

1. Open Control Center.
2. Tap the + sign in the top left.
3. Select Add a Control at the bottom.
4. Tap Hearing (ear icon) to add it.

Now, simply tap the Hearing icon and select Background Sounds to turn it on or adjust settings.

Using Accessibility Shortcuts for faster access

If you prefer an even quicker way, set up a shortcut:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Accessibility.
3. Select Accessibility Shortcut at the bottom.
4. Choose Background Sounds.

Now, triple-pressing the side button will instantly toggle Background Sounds on or off.