With iOS 26, Apple is making it easier than ever to create a calming, focused environment right from your iPhone or iPad. The Background Sounds feature, originally introduced as an Accessibility tool, has now been expanded with eight new ambient audio options, giving users more control over their mental space and sensory environment.
Whether you need help concentrating, sleeping, or simply want to drown out background noise, iOS 26’s updated Background Sounds is a feature worth exploring.
What Are Background Sounds?
Background Sounds play soothing ambient audio—like rain, white noise, or ocean waves—in the background of your device. These sounds continue playing even while using other apps, making them perfect for multitasking, meditation, or blocking out distractions.
What’s New in iOS 26?
Before iOS 26, users had access to eight sound options. Now, Apple has doubled the selection to a total of 16 unique sounds. The new additions include:
- Babble
- Steam
- Airplane
- Boat
- Bus
- Train
- Rain on Roof
- Quiet Night
These new entries complement the existing sounds like Ocean, Stream, Night, and various types of white noise.
How to Enable Background Sounds on iPhone or iPad
Using the feature is simple and doesn’t require any additional apps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Under the “Hearing” section, choose Audio & Visual.
- Select Background Sounds.
- Turn on the toggle switch at the top.
- Tap Sound to pick from the expanded list.
- Adjust volume levels and whether it plays when media is active or during screen lock.
You can also add the Hearing shortcut to Control Center for quick access:
- Just swipe down from the top right > hit the “+” button at the top left > Add a control > scroll down to the Hearing Accessibility section and choose the Background Sounds icon.
- From now on, you can just bring up the Control Center > tap the Background Sounds icon to activate it. To choose the preferred sound, touch and hold the Background Sounds icon and then select a sound.
Wrapping up..!
And that’s about it! Whether you’re trying to stay productive or wind down after a long day, iOS 26’s updated Background Sounds feature offers a customizable audio experience that’s both practical and therapeutic. With more ambient options than ever before, your iPhone or iPad can now serve as a portable sound oasis—anytime, anywhere.
