If you want to eliminate unnecessary distractions, there is a new accessibility feature for iPhones that you may want to try.
Background Sounds add rain, ocean sounds, and other ambient noises to help you block out the world around you when you’re trying to focus or sleep. You can use the feature independently or, if you prefer, you can play it alongside other audio on your device. The feature arrives with the update to iOS 15 and iPadOS 15.
If you want to know how to use Background Sounds on iPhone or iPad devices, this is what you will have to do.
How to use Background Sounds on iPhone and iPad devices
There are six Background Sounds audio tracks built into the release for you to try: Relaxed Noise, Bright Noise, Dark Noise, Ocean, Rain, and Stream.
At the moment, it is not clear if Apple will add more sounds to this list in the future. If you’ve updated to iOS 15, iPad OS 15 or later, you should be able to enable these audio tracks in the Settings menu.
How to activate background sounds on iPhone or iPad
To activate background sounds on your device:
- Press the Settings app on the starting screen of your device.
- Please select Accessibility.
- Choose Audiovisual.
- Press Background sounds.
- Choose your configuration:
- Background sounds: Enable / disable.
- Sound: Touch to select the background sound to use.
- Noise volume [Sonido]: Use the slider to raise or lower the sound
- Use when playing the medium: On / off to play the background sound together with other media
- Volume with media: With the slider, choose the volume of the background sound when playing media.
- Stop sounds when crashed: Enable / disable to stop sounds when device is locked.
You can also use a sample play button to hear how background sounds work with other media. If necessary, change the volume accordingly.
You can make changes to the Background Sounds at any time. As long as the Background Sounds switch is on, the audio plays.
Add background sounds to the control panel
An easier way to handle Background Sounds is by using the Control Panel. To do this, you must add the Hearing tile to the list of options in the Control Panel.
For it:
- Open the Settings app of your device.
- Press the Control Panel.
- Select the + icon next to Listen, which appears in More controls. This moves the option to the section Controls included.
- Use the menu button located to the right of the option Hearing to move up or down the list.
Using background sounds on the control panel
Once you have added the title of the Hearing to the Control Panel, it is time to use it. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Control Panel of your device.
- Touch the tile Hearing (with an ear logo).
- Please select Background sounds to activate them.
- Choose the audio track you want to play and adjust the volume with the onscreen options.
- Press again Background sounds to disable them.
Other new accessibility features in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15
Background sounds isn’t the only new accessibility feature in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15. You can try VoiceOver, Switch Control, Per-App Settings, and Accessibility Memoji for other features.
Voiceover
With Voiceover, you can play audible descriptions of text, images, and other items on your screen.
In iOS 15, you can now explore people, objects, text, and tables within images in more detail. For example, you can use VoiceOver to navigate nutrition label values and receipts intelligently and in logical order. You can also move your finger over a photo to discover the position of a person in relation to other objects within the images.
To use this feature, go to Settings> Accessibility> VoiceOver to configure it.
Switch Control
Switch Control allows you to control your device with certain verbal sounds, such as a click, click, or “ee” sound. The tool replaces the need to use physical buttons, switches, or complex verbal commands. This can help non-verbal users who have some lower levels of communication.
To activate it, press Settings> Accessibility> Switch Control.
Settings by application
Apple has made it possible to adjust the settings for the display and text size per app. For example, you can make text bold or enlarge, increase contrast, invert colors, add color filters, and more.
To see options for installed applications, open the menu Settings> Accessibility. The options appear in the section Setting prior to application.
Accessibility Memoji
Selection of Memoji (Custom 3D Emoji Stickers) from Apple has been expanded to include various accessible characters and features.
For example, you can now create Memoji characters that include oxygen tubes, cochlear implants and a soft helmet for the head in the app. Posts.
Accessibility on iPhone and iPad devices
That’s not all: iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 updates also include a new magnifying glass app, voice control languages, and the ability to import audiograms. Each new feature demonstrates the commitment Apple is showing to expanding access to some of its best features.
These features add to a growing list of accessibility features for iPhone and iPad users. If you have your own accessibility tips that you want to share, leave them in the comments below.
