Apple’s iOS 18.4 update brings seamless background music outside of the Apple Music app.
Last week, we covered the upcoming Ambient Music feature in iOS 18.4, and now it has officially arrived. This addition makes it easier than ever for Apple users to play background music without opening the Apple Music app. Beyond convenience for listeners, it could also benefit artists.
A quick recap: Apple’s Ambient Music feature
Apple’s new Ambient Music feature offers quick access to curated mood-based playlists direct from the phone’s interface.
Users can choose four ambient moods, each launching a corresponding playlist:
- Sleep– Music for a restful sleep
- Chill– Music for relaxation
- Productivity– Music for focusing on tasks
- Wellbeing– Music for meditation and self-care
Each mood has four selected playlists, but these options can be customized with playlists of your choice. For example, the Productivity control automatically plays the BEATstrumentals playlist, but there are three other playlist options to choose from. This makes it simple to switch on a playlist suited to your mood without diving into the Apple Music app.
How to enable Ambient Music in iOS 18.4
Apple has made it easy to set up Ambient Music. Users can add the feature in three ways:
- Control Center– Add the Ambient Music control when editing Control Center (via the “+” icon in settings).
- Lock Screen– Edit your lock screen and add the Ambient Music shortcut in the bottom left or right corner.
- Action Button (on supported iPhones)- Easily assign Ambient Music to the Action Button in settings.
Customize the playlist options for each mood by tapping the Ambient Music control when in editing mode.
Why this matters for artists and listeners
Apple’s Ambient Music feature opens new opportunities for both artists and listeners. For musicians, it means greater visibility and potential streaming revenue. Since Apple’s curated playlists are seamlessly accessible, tracks featured in them could gain significantly more streams.
Meanwhile, listeners benefit from effortless mood-setting. With instant access to playlists, users can find the perfect background music- whether for work, relaxation, or sleep. With customizable options, Ambient Music makes it seamless to play your favorite playlist.
As background music continues to shape modern listening habits, Ambient Music reinforces this through a seamless experience that is integrated into your iPhone.
A quiet but powerful new addition
Whether Ambient Music will be adopted by the mainstream remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: this new feature makes passive listening more accessible than ever.
For listeners, it offers unparalleled convenience. For artists, it presents a new path to exposure and revenue. If background music is the future, Apple just made it easier than ever to press play.
