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Here Are the New Background Sounds in iOS 26

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With iOS 26, Apple added a bunch of new options for the Background Sounds feature. If you're unfamiliar with it, it is an Accessibility option that allows your iPhone to play soothing background noise, like white noise or rain.

ios 26 background sounds
Prior to ‌iOS 26‌, there were eight Background Sounds options, but now there are a total of sixteen. Here's what's new:

  • Babble
  • Steam
  • Airplane
  • Boat
  • Bus
  • Train
  • Rain on Roof
  • Quiet Night

These join the original eight, which include Balanced Noise, Bright Noise, Dark Noise, Ocean, Rain, Stream, Night, and Fire.

Background Sounds can be toggled on in the Settings app under Accessibility > Audio and Visual > Background Sounds. Once you've opted in and selected a sound, you can toggle Background Sounds on and off through the Hearing Accessibility shortcut in the Control Center.

‌iOS 26‌ is only available for developers right now, but Apple plans to release a public beta in July. The software will launch in September alongside new iPhones.

Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Related Forum: iOS 26

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Top Rated Comments

Hallouminati Avatar
Hallouminati
17 months ago
Hopefully they “fix” the sound of rain. I need background noise for my sleep but have to go with white noise (not one of the titles listed above, maybe a rename) as rain is incredibly annoying - it’s not rain, it’s rain and loads of birds.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Eric_WVGG Avatar
Eric_WVGG
17 months ago
I’ve been using Noizio for > 10 years and they do not deserve to be sherlocked. Quality app. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/noizio-calm-meditate-sleep/id928871589?mt=12
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M-Life Avatar
M-Life
17 months ago

Who in their right mind would want an Airplane background noise? Are there people that like that sound? 😵‍💫
Airplane engine noise from the inside of the airplane is the ultimate relaxation noise for some of us. The instant the plane takes off I pass out due to the hum of the engines.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rafagon Avatar
Rafagon
17 months ago
What was that Accessibility feature that would listen and inform you if there was a baby crying, or shots fired?

I think with AI, this could easily now be expanded to a bunch of other sounds being detected.

Boss Coming (Detect Boss's voice and inform you if it's heard nearby)

Bats in Vicinity (Alert you if there are bats flying nearby)

Lie Detection (Alert you if someone's lying due to the particular nuances of their voice)

Toast is Ready (Alert you when the toaster ejects toast)

Tsunami Approaching (self-explanatory)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Eric_WVGG Avatar
Eric_WVGG
17 months ago

I’m quite happy because of the addition of the new sounds to the operating system, so that I don’t have to install any extra app.

However, if this is such a quality app, and from what I see, has no in-app purchases or subscriptions, maybe I’ll get at least the iOS/iPadOS app which is just 3€. By the way, you shared the link to the Mac app.

I see, however, that they haven’t updated their app in like… 4 years. At least the iOS/iPadOS app. So I wonder if they have adapted the app to the new system so that we can put the sounds on the control center, which is quite convenient, tbh.
kinda tricky to pull a link to the iOS app store from a Mac.

Anyway, I'm pleased to hear that you're giving it a try, please let me know what you think!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sleep_to_dream Avatar
sleep_to_dream
17 months ago

Wow good perception I didn’t even catch the lil birdies haha but then again I don’t really use this feature..I did however just notice you can play music (classical /jazz go well) and have rain or ocean or whatever also still play…incredible!!!!!!



They should let you mix up however many sounds into one. So say rain on roof mixed with fire place. Ugh too cozy lol




Whaaaat. Would think this would be well a publicized feature if so…great idea for those who, for whatever treason, don’t want it running all night.

My guess is shortcuts app? Have you checked into that avenue yet? I’ve never once made a shortcut so I’m curious how it’s done..




You are doing the Lord’s work, keep it up.

Apple = too awesome smh

Edit: my two cents. They should add city scape (so a mix of traffic, sirens, trains, pedestrians, bikes, outside concerts, parks etc)

And they should add tropical jungle oooo and/or African Savanah…
It’s been shown that long term exposure to that kind of background noise is bad for your health. White noise is different, but city noise is possibly the worst offender
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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