iPhone users are just discovering a built-in iPhone feature that will help them sleep better.
Our iPhone sidekicks have only made it easier for us to get to places on time, message and coordinate plans with friends.
But there’s a lesser-known feature tucked inside your iPhone that’s designed to do something a bit more soothing.
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While people may turn to Spotify sleep playlists, relaxing podcasts, or even military sleep techniques to get some rest, those who prefer white noise will be happy to hear they can save some money.
Apple fans with an iPhone running iOS 15 or later can access white noise without spending $20-$100 buying one on Amazon.
“The key feature of the sound devices is the constant sound in contrast to changing sounds like with music, radio, and television,” said Dr. David Neubauer, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “Our brains pay attention to changing sound, but a comfortable constant sound can help lull us to sleep.”
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Many iPhone users may not be aware of the feature as it's labelled as 'background sounds' rather than white noise on devices.
To turn white noise on, simply go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > Background Sounds.
From there, toggle it on, and your iPhone will immediately begin playing a soothing ambient sound to help you sleep or focus.
Users can customise the experience with a range of sound options including: rain, stream, ocean, balanced noise, bright noise, and dark noise, as well as adjust the sound’s volume.
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Although, there’s no built-in timer to turn it off after a set period, users can enable a setting that automatically stops the sounds when their Apple device is locked.
Even better, if you want to toggle the feature quickly, you can set up an Accessibility Shortcut. To do so, go to Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut and select Background Sounds.
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Once enabled, triple-click the side power button to turn your preferred background sound on or off instantly.
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Background sounds can help people block out noises like traffic, snoring and things that go bump in the night to help you get an easy night's sleep.
“I think there are two ways that sound devices are helpful. Most obviously, they can block out other sudden noises that might awaken us during complete silence at night,” Neubauer explained.
White noise machines 'create a sound cocoon that might provide a sense of security,' Neubauer said, adding that: “Sometimes, absolute silence can have people listening intently and inhibiting drifting off to sleep.”