Two Ways to Enable iPhone Background Sounds for a More Restful Sleep

A good night’s sleep is foundational to health, but anxiety or environmental noise can make it hard to fall asleep. Many users turn to third-party apps like Spotify or YouTube to seek natural sounds, even though Apple has embedded a sleep-aid feature directly in iOS.

Research from the University of New South Wales shows that slow-tempo music can expedite the sleep process. Additionally, a study in Urban Forestry & Urban Greening found that natural sounds such as flowing water or birdsong effectively lower heart rate and provide deep relaxation.

Here is a complete guide to optimising the Background Sounds and Ambient Music features on your iPhone to achieve better rest.

This feature offers a variety of static sounds such as rain, waves, and crackling campfire that are soothing. You can access it in two ways:

If you prefer soft instrumental music to pure nature sounds, the iPhone provides an Ambient Music playlist accessible directly from the Home Screen or Lock Screen.

Additional Information: This feature is very useful for users looking to reduce reliance on paid subscription apps. Because it is built-in, battery usage tends to be more efficient than running third-party streaming apps all night.