Apple has thoughtfully integrated several sleep-enhancing features into the iPhone, offering a range of tools to promote better rest. From masking distracting noises to silencing notifications, these often overlooked features can significantly improve your sleep quality. These tools can be customized to fit individual preferences, providing a personalized approach to a good night’s sleep.
One such feature is Background Sounds, accessible through Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Background Sounds. This feature offers a selection of calming sounds like rain, ocean waves, or white noise, designed to minimize distractions and create a soothing auditory environment conducive to sleep. Users can adjust the volume and even play these sounds concurrently with other media. For quick access, Background Sounds can be added to the Control Center or activated via the Accessibility Shortcut, allowing users to toggle the feature on or off with a triple-click of the side button.
Another useful tool is the built-in music timer within the Clock app. This feature allows users to set a specific duration for music playback, automatically stopping the music after the designated time. This is ideal for those who enjoy falling asleep to music but prefer not to have it playing throughout the night. Simply select the Timers tab, set the desired time, and choose “Stop Playing” under “When Timer Ends.” This function operates silently, ensuring a peaceful transition into sleep without disruptive alarms.
Similar to the music timer, the Podcasts app offers an auto-shutoff feature, preventing continuous playback and accidental listening through multiple episodes. While listening to a podcast, tap the crescent moon icon with three “z”s in the bottom right corner of the playback screen. This allows you to set a timer or choose the “When Episode Ends” option, ensuring the podcast stops playing after the current episode concludes. This feature helps avoid unknowingly listening to numerous episodes while asleep and prevents the need to backtrack the following morning.
StandBy mode transforms your iPhone into a bedside clock, particularly beneficial in dimly lit environments. Activated by connecting the iPhone to a charger and placing it on its side, StandBy offers customizable displays. In dark settings, the screen automatically tints red, minimizing blue light exposure known to interfere with sleep. This “red mode” creates a less stimulating visual environment, promoting relaxation and better sleep quality. This feature is especially effective on iPhone models with Always-On Display but can also be used on other models by tapping the screen or nudging the surface it rests on to activate the display.
Sleep Focus is another essential feature designed to minimize nighttime distractions. This feature filters out notifications and calls, allowing users to personalize exceptions for specific contacts or apps. When activated, incoming iMessages will notify the sender that the recipient is in Sleep Focus mode and may not see the message immediately. This feature can be scheduled for specific times and days, offering flexibility for different weekday and weekend routines. Additionally, a “wind down” period can be set, starting anywhere from 15 minutes to three hours before bedtime, gradually reducing notifications to prepare for sleep. This creates a calming digital environment, minimizing disruptions and promoting a more restful night.
