In iOS 18.4, Apple introduced an exciting new ambient music feature in the Control Center. As the name suggests, it allows users to easily play a selection of soothing background music with just a tap. This is a fantastic initial offering, and I hope to see Apple enhance this feature further in the future.
Currently, iOS 18.4 is in beta, but Apple released the Release Candidate earlier this week, indicating that a public launch is imminent.
How it Work-
In the Control Center, Apple offers four distinct options for Ambient Music: Chill, Productivity, Sleep, and Wellbeing.
Each option features a specific playlist tailored to its theme, and users can also personalize their experience by selecting their preferred playlist when activating the toggle. While Apple provides four playlists for each category, there’s also the option to include your own selections.
You can launch the secret “Ambient Music” app from your Dynamic Island or Control Center once you’ve selected some relaxing ambient music using one of these toggles. This app lets you quickly view what’s playing, skip songs, and AirPlay music to a speaker or other device.
Ways Apple Could Improve Ambient Music
Apple’s Ambient Music feature is a fantastic addition, and users really enjoyed using it—but there’s definitely room for improvement.
For starters, it’s only available on iPhone and iPad, leaving Mac users out of the experience. While macOS does offer a “Background Sounds” feature, it’s nowhere near as refined or versatile as Ambient Music on iOS and iPadOS 18.4. Expanding this feature to Mac would make it even more useful.
Another improvement? A dedicated standalone app. Right now, Ambient Music runs as a hidden app when accessed through Control Center, but having it available directly from the Home Screen would make switching between playlists much smoother. Instead of navigating through multiple toggles, users could access everything in one place—just like Apple Music Classical does.
That being said, Ambient Music in iOS 18.4 is still a welcome surprise, and users excited to see how Apple develops it further. If they bring it to Mac and create a dedicated app, it would take the experience to a whole new level.
Want to explore more of Apple’s music features? You can subscribe to Apple Music for $10.99/month and enjoy an ever-expanding library of curated sounds.
