iOS 18.4 Adds New Ambient Music Feature

In iOS 18.4, there's a new Ambient Music option that can be added to Control Center. There are four different sound categories, including Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing.

ios 18 4 ambient music
Each category can be added to Control Center separately, and tapping one plays a random selection of sounds or music from that particular category.

You can't choose what's playing from Control Center, but if you play a category and then tap into the Dynamic Island at the top or access the Now Playing widget, you can skip songs and see the name of what's currently playing.

There is no dedicated app for the feature, but Apple has a hidden app that provides more control through skipping songs.

Ambient Music is available on both the iPhone and the iPad in iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4.

Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

Popular Stories

Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature

Apple Announces Special Event in New York, London, and Shanghai on March 4

Monday February 16, 2026 6:05 am PST by
Apple today announced a "special Apple Experience" in New York, London, and Shanghai, taking place on March 4, 2026 at 9:00am ET. Apple invited select members of the media to the event in three major cities around the world. It is simply described as a "special Apple Experience," and there is no further information about what it may entail. The invitation features a 3D Apple logo design...
iphone 16 apple intelligence

Apple Aiming to Release 'Breakthrough' New iPhone Accessory

Wednesday February 18, 2026 12:43 pm PST by
Apple is looking for a "breakthrough" with its push into wearable AI devices, including an "AirTag-sized pendant," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a report this week, he said the pendant is reminiscent of the failed Humane AI Pin, but it would be an iPhone accessory rather than a standalone product. The pendant would feature an "always-on" camera and a microphone for Siri voice...
CarPlay Liquid Glass Dark

iOS 26.4's New CarPlay Video Feature Shown in Action

Wednesday February 18, 2026 9:29 am PST by
Back at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that it was planning to allow CarPlay users to watch video via AirPlay in their vehicles while they are not driving, and the first beta of iOS 26.4 suggests the feature may be nearing availability. There are several new references to CarPlay video streaming functionality within the iOS 26.4 beta's source code. The feature is not yet visible to users, but...
iphone 17 pro green

iPhone 17 Pro Max Curiously Becomes Most Traded-In Smartphone

Wednesday February 18, 2026 9:13 am PST by
New trade-in data indicates that Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max has rapidly become the single most traded-in smartphone. According to a new report from SellCell, Apple's latest flagship iPhone has quickly risen to the top of the independent trade-in market, accounting for 11.5% of all devices appearing in the top-20 trade-in rankings just months after release. The analysis is based on SellCell...
Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature 1

Apple Event on March 4: Here's What to Expect

Tuesday February 17, 2026 8:08 am PST by
Apple on Monday invited selected journalists and content creators to a "special Apple Experience" on Wednesday, March 4 in New York, London, and Shanghai. At an Apple Experience, attendees are typically given the opportunity to try out Apple's latest hardware or software. Following the launch of Apple Creator Studio last month, for example, some content creators attended an Apple Experience...

Top Rated Comments

phuklok1 Avatar
13 months ago
i’ve said this before but maybe apple might see it one day…

we need a real graphic equalizer, not presets

we need the eq to save settings independently for each bluetooth or output device.

we need swipe controls for skipping

(would also be nice to have a next track button in maps)

these are pretty basic things that others have been doing for decades at this point
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
13 months ago
Do you have to be an Apple Music subscriber?

Is it licensed / commercial music we would know of or ?

Did they make the music in house?
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
antiprotest Avatar
13 months ago

There is no dedicated app for the feature, but Apple has a hidden app that provides more control through skipping songs.
What?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
scottct1 Avatar
13 months ago
I don't have an Apple Music subscription and all of them are working for me. It never asked me to subscribe or anything.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
randomthoughts Avatar
13 months ago
Interesting. There is already Background Sounds in Control Center under the Accessibility section that you can choose different sounds. Will be interesting to see how similar this is to what is already available.



Attachment Image
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
13 months ago
Does this finally mean I can play sleep music without ambient taking over my recommendations in Apple Music?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)