The Control Center has undergone significant transformations since the launch of iOS 18 last fall, with several new features introduced in the recent iOS 18.4 update. One particular addition stands out as my favorite, quickly turning into my most frequently accessed Control Center toggle.
Background Sounds: the Hidden Gem in Control Center
The App Store features numerous excellent ambient noise applications like Portal, Endel, and Dark Noise.
But did you know that iOS comes with a built-in ambient noise feature accessible through Control Center?
This feature is distinct from the newly introduced ambient music controls found in iOS 18.4.
Called ‘Background Sounds’ by Apple, this feature remains largely unknown to many because it is categorized under Accessibility tools.
To access it, follow these steps:
- Open Control Center on your iPhone or iPad
- Long-press to enter editing mode
- Tap the ‘Add a Control’ button
- Scroll down to locate the ‘Hearing Accessibility’ option
- Add ‘Background Sounds’ to your Control Center
iOS has included these built-in sounds for several years, but they received some fantastic expansions in iOS 18—one of which I frequently utilize daily.
Once you add Background Sounds to Control Center, you can long-press the toggle to explore the complete list of available sounds.
Apple provides eight ambient noises in total:
- Balanced Noise
- Bright Noise
- Dark Noise
- Ocean
- Rain
- Stream
- Night
- Fire
My Most Frequently Used Control Center Toggle: The New Fire Sound in iOS 18
Among the eight sounds listed above, the last two are brand new in iOS 18.
It didn’t take long for the Fire sound to become my favorite.
While my experience with the other sounds has varied, Fire creates the perfect atmosphere to enhance my focus while working.
Whenever I’m engaged in focused writing, I put on my AirPods Pro 2 and activate noise canceling, then open Control Center to turn on the Fire ambient noise, and I’m good to go.
Apple has included some fantastic customization options within the Control Center toggle, such as a dedicated volume slider for the feature, the ability to continue playing noise alongside other media (with its own volume slider), and more.
The addition of the Fire sound has turned the Background Sounds feature in Control Center into something I use multiple times each day—more than any other toggle.
Were you aware that Background Sounds existed? What are your favorite Control Center features? Share your thoughts in the comments.
