Using carefully chosen soundscapes, Apple’s new Ambient Music feature for iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 aims to improve user well-being. Chill, Productivity, Sleep, and Wellbeing are the four unique categories that this function offers. Each category gives a customised audio experience to fit different tasks and moods.
Adding Ambient Music controls to your Control Center
Swipe down from the upper-right corner of any screen to launch Control Centre, then add Ambient Music for easy access. The Control Centre editor can then be accessed by touching and holding the background. Next, select “Add a Control” and look up “ambient music.”
You can select from four categories using Ambient Music: Relax, Productivity, Sleep, and Wellbeing. You can add one to the Control Centre page you were on by tapping on it. You can drag and drop it from there onto another page if you want it somewhere else.
Either larger 2-by-2 icons or 1-by-1 circular icons can be used for the controls. To adjust the size, pull the control’s drag handle to make it larger or smaller. To save the layout after finishing, tap the background one more.
After they are added, you can swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to access these controls. As a result, you can press to begin ambient soundscapes.
To choose a different playlist for the control, tap an Ambient Music control and then Playlist while you’re personalising your Control Centre. You can choose from your own music collection or one of Apple’s recommendations.
Adding Ambient Music controls to your Lock Screen
On an iPhone, you can swap out the built-in Flashlight and Camera controls on your lock screen for Ambient Music controls for even faster access. The first step is to long-press the wallpaper on your Lock Screen or Notification Centre to enter Lock Screen editing mode. Next, tap on the Lock Screen preview on the left after selecting the desired Lock Screen and selecting Customise underneath it.
Or select Wallpaper in the Settings app, select your preferred wallpaper set, and then select Customise from the Lock Screen preview.
Next, pick a control, such as the camera, torch, or a custom control you’ve already swapped out. Browse or search for ambient music from the picker, then select from the categories of wellbeing, productivity, sleep, and chill.
Tap the Lock Screen to close the editor after choosing Done to save your Lock Screen settings.
To choose a different playlist for the Lock Screen shortcut, modify your Lock Screen by tapping the Ambient Music control and then Playlist. It can be a recommendation from Apple or a song from your own collection.
This configuration improves accessibility and convenience by enabling you to start your favourite ambient sound straight from the lock screen.
Adding Ambient Music controls to your Action button
You can navigate to Settings » Action Button on an iPhone and then swipe over until you see the Controls option. Select a control by tapping on it, and then look for Ambient Music. After selecting one of the categories—Child, Productivity, Sleep, or Wellbeing—you can close the settings.
After establishing one, you can choose a different playlist for the shortcut by tapping Configure under it in the Action Button settings. You can choose from your own music library or one of Apple’s recommended playlists.
You can program an Ambient Music playlist to play anytime you double-tap or triple-tap the back of your iPhone, even if Back Tap does not currently support controls. The playlist must be assigned to your Action button, though. To accomplish this, select Double Tap or Triple Tap under Settings » Accessibility » Touch » Back Tap, and then assign the motion to an Action Button.
Exploring Ambient Music categories
The Ambient Music app will start playing a song from the category you have chosen as soon as you tap an Ambient Music control from your Control Centre or Lock Screen, or you may utilise the Action button shortcut on your iPhone. Like any other audio you would play on your device, you can control the music and soundscapes from your Dynamic Island, Live Activity, and Now Playing control.
A distinct range of sounds is available in each area of ambient music:
Chill: Provides mellow music that is ideal for stress alleviation and relaxation.
Productivity: Offers instrumental, targeted music to help focus while working or studying.
Sleep: Consists of soothing noises intended to encourage sound sleep.
Wellbeing: Contains upbeat tunes meant to improve general happiness and wellbeing.
The Ambient Sounds app won’t show up in your App Switcher until you tap the player on Dynamic Island, Live Activity, or the Now Playing control. Ambient Music will keep playing if you launch another app, but the app will not show up on the App Switcher.
You can create a more individualised and encouraging aural environment that is suited to your unique needs and interests by incorporating these ambient soundscapes into your everyday life.