iOS 18.4 is expected to be released to the general public next week, and the software update includes a hidden new music feature on iPhones.
Namely, there is a new Ambient Music feature available in Control Center.
To access the feature, open Control Center, and then tap on the plus sign in the top-left corner of the screen. Next, tap on “Add a Control” at the bottom of the screen. Finally, scroll down to the Ambient Music section and add one or more of the controls.
There are four Ambient Music themes, including Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing:
Sleep: Music for a restful sleep.
Music for a restful sleep. Chill: Music for relaxation.
Music for relaxation. Productivity: Music for focusing on tasks.
Music for focusing on tasks. Wellbeing: Music for meditation and self-care.
You can add any of the four Ambient Music controls to your Control Center, and then tap on one to start a playlist of songs that matches the theme. The feature is free and easy to use, with no Apple Music subscription or app required.
While the Ambient Music feature is turned on, music controls will appear on the screen, and there is also Dynamic Island integration on newer iPhones.
There are four playlists available for each theme, or you can set your own. To change the playlist, open Control Center, and then tap on the plus sign in the top-left corner of the screen. Next, tap on an Ambient Music control that you added to Control Center, and tap on the name of the playlist. A drop-down menu will show additional playlist options.
For the Wellbeing theme, for example, the premade playlist options include Pure Meditation, Spa, Beats & Breath, and Pure Calm.
iOS 18.4 is currently in beta. As mentioned above, the update should be released to the general public next week, for the iPhone XS and newer. The update will be available for installation via the Settings app, under General → Software Update.