Apple introduces Ambient Music feature in iOS 18.4 update

Once the update is installed, users can access the Ambient Music feature by opening the Control Center and tapping the plus sign in the top-left corner. From there, they can select “Add a Control”, scroll down to the Ambient Music section, and add one or more available controls.

Apple has designed this feature with four distinct themes: Sleep, which offers music for restful sleep; Chill, which provides relaxing sounds; Productivity, designed to help users focus on tasks; and Wellbeing, which supports meditation and self-care.

Each theme includes four pre-set playlists, though users can also customise their selections. By tapping on an added Ambient Music control in the Control Center, they can access a drop-down menu with additional playlist options. For Sleep, the choices include Sleep Sounds, Bedtime Beats, Sound Bath, and Piano Sleep. The Chill category features Piano Chill, Ambient Chill, Lo-Fi Jazz, and Pure Chill, while the Productivity section offers BEATstrumentals, Binaural Frequencies, Pure Focus, and Classical Concentration. Those selecting the Wellbeing theme can choose from Pure Meditation, Spa, Beats & Breath, and Pure Calm.

When the Ambient Music feature is activated, music controls will appear on screen, and on newer iPhones, it will also integrate with Dynamic Island for a seamless experience. Notably, this feature is completely free to use and does not require an Apple Music subscription or the installation of any additional apps.

In addition to this, Apple has announced that AirPods Max with a USB-C port will receive support for lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio after the iOS 18.4 update. While Apple Music’s catalogue of over 100 million songs will be available in lossless audio, some experts argue that this functionality does not offer a significant improvement over AAC encoding.

Once the update is installed, users can install iOS 18.4 by opening the Settings app, selecting General, and tapping Software Update.