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Background Sounds is a setting on the iPad that allows students to play background sounds, like ocean waves or rain, on the iPad.
Background Sounds can support students to:
increase focus and attention
remain calm and comfortable
To turn on Background Sounds on an iPad in iPadOS 18:
Tap each image below to learn more, and zoom in to get a closer look.
Go to "Settings".
Tap "Accessibility".
Swipe up to find and tap "Audio & Visual".
Tap "Background Sounds".
Tap the circle to toggle on Background Sounds.
To change the sound, tap "Sound".
Choose a sound from the menu. Then tap "Background Sounds" to return to the Background Sounds menu.
To change the volume of the Background Sound, drag the circle to the left to make the sound more quiet or to the right to make the sound louder.
If Background Sounds should keep playing when other videos or sounds are playing on the iPad, keep "Use When Media is Playing" toggled on.
To change the volume of the sounds when other videos and sounds are playing on the iPad, drag the circle to the left to make the sound more quiet or to the right to make it louder.
Decide if the Background Sounds should continue to play when the iPad is locked or not by tapping the circle to toggle it on or off.
To turn off Background Sounds, tap the circle to toggle it off.
To add Background Sounds to the Control Center on an iPad in iPadOS 18:
Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center.
Tap the "+" or touch and hold anywhere below the Control Center icons.
Tap "+ Add a Control".
Use the Search bar and Keyboard to type "Background Sounds", then tap the "Background Sounds" icon to add it to the Control Center.
Tap anywhere on the screen, to finish editing the Control Center.
Tap the "Background Sounds" icon to turn on Background Sounds.
Touch and hold the "Background Sounds" icon to show the menu. Change the Volume and Sounds as needed. Then tap anywhere on the screen to exit the Background Sounds menu.
To turn off Background Sounds, tap the "Background Sounds" icon. Then tap anywhere on the screen, or swipe up from the bottom of the screen with one finger, to exit the Control Center.
Step-by-step instructions according to the iPad's Operating System:
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With Background Sounds, students in the TDSB can:
remain focused during independent work times. Students can listen to soft background sounds, like rain or ocean waves, to remain calm and focused on learning tasks.
feel calm before a test or presentation. Gentle sounds help students feel calmer during stressful tasks like tests or reading aloud.
concentrate and stay on task. Playing background sounds can help students stay on task while writing or solving math problems.
create a calmer environment. Turing on Background Sounds can help students stay quiet and focused.
practice mindfulness. Students can listen to nature sounds during a quiet break to practice mindfulness.
transition between activities. Using Background Sounds during transition times may help students to stay calm, know what to expect and feel ready for the next task.
Last Updated June 16, 2025
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