iOS 18.4 Adds Ambient Music and AI Controls to iPhone Control Center

Apple released iOS 18.4 on March 31, introducing several exciting updates that enhance the iPhone user experience. Among the most notable additions are new Ambient Music controls and expanded Apple Intelligence features accessible through the Control Center.

Ambient Music Controls for Focus and Relaxation

The update adds four new Ambient Music controls to the Control Center: Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing. Each control activates a curated playlist designed to support specific moods or activities. For example, the Sleep control plays soothing music to help users fall asleep faster and improve sleep quality, leveraging research that links certain sounds to better rest and learning.

Users can easily add these controls by opening the Control Center, tapping the plus icon, and selecting Ambient Music controls from the library. Playlists can be customized by selecting from preloaded options or personal music libraries, making it a versatile tool for enhancing productivity or relaxation.

Unlike Apple's Background Sounds feature, which offers static noises like rain or ocean waves, Ambient Music provides dynamic playlists, positioning Apple as a competitor to streaming services offering similar ambient music for focus and sleep.

Apple Intelligence Controls Expand AI Accessibility

iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 16 users gain access to three new Apple Intelligence controls: Talk to Siri, Type to Siri, and Visual Intelligence. These controls enhance interaction with Siri and enable AI-powered features directly from the Control Center.

Visual Intelligence, previously exclusive to iPhone 16 devices due to hardware requirements, is now available on iPhone 15 Pro models through the Control Center. This AI tool offers real-time visual analysis, though users should verify its outputs as with any AI technology.

Adding these controls is straightforward: open Control Center, tap the plus icon, and select Apple Intelligence controls from the list. This makes AI features more accessible and customizable for users who rely on Siri and AI assistance.

Overall, iOS 18.4 continues Apple's trend of empowering users with customizable, AI-enhanced tools that improve daily life, from better sleep and productivity to smarter device interaction.