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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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The verdict on

White Noise Lite

85
User verdict / 100 High confidence Loved, with caveats

White Noise Lite is highly effective for sleep and relaxation due to its diverse sound options and customization features, though some recent users report issues with sounds stopping when the app is closed or the phone goes to sleep.

4.8★ lifetime (271,570) Free to download since 2008 by TMSOFT updated 0.8 mo ago recent negative 4% 50 reviews across 1 regions
Sleep Aid Sound Variety & Customization Noise Blocking App Stability & Playback Issues
5★39
4★4
3★5
2★0
1★2
recent reviews across 1 regions, vs the 4.8★ lifetime average

White Noise Lite is a highly-rated free app that provides a variety of sounds to aid sleep, relaxation, and noise blocking. Users appreciate its extensive sound library, customization options, and features like timers and background play, though some recent reviews indicate issues with sounds stopping unexpectedly.

What users like

  • Highly effective for improving sleep and relaxationR2R3R13R14
  • Offers a wide variety of sounds, including brown noise and custom sound creationR2R12R14R25
  • Useful for blocking out external noise for studying or sleepingR5R10R15R31
  • Includes helpful features like a timer with gradual quiet, background audio, and a digital clockR2R19R30R38
  • Free to download with many features, making it a valuable tool for many usersR12R13R22R26
  • Beneficial for babies and children to help them sleepR16R20R28R35
  • Reliable and has been used by many for yearsR9R16R20R31

What users complain about

  • Sound stops playing when the app is closed or the phone goes to sleepR11R47
  • Some users experience bugs where sounds change or the app fails to stay onR24
  • Takes up a lot of storage spaceR8
  • Lacks Siri shortcut integrationR10
  • Some sounds are not realisticR4

Latest update · v8.4.1

What the developer says changed (the verdict above weighs this against what reviewers report):

- Renamed "Ignore Audio Route Changes" to "Reduce Interruptions" and includes improvements to handling audio interruptions like phone calls and system alerts - Fixed help tips reappearing after an update while Disable Help Tips is enabled

Recurring themes

Sleep Aid positive
Many users find the app incredibly effective for falling asleep and staying asleep, citing various sounds like brown noise, rain, and ocean waves as helpful. It's used by adults, children, and babies alike.R2R3R6R7
Sound Variety & Customization positive
Users appreciate the wide selection of sounds available and the ability to create custom soundscapes or record their own sounds. Popular sounds include brown noise, airplane travel, running shower, and extreme rain.R2R12R14R25
App Stability & Playback Issues negative
Despite the developer's notes about improving audio interruptions, recent reviews indicate that the sound still stops when the app is left or the phone goes to sleep, which is a significant issue for users relying on it for continuous background noise.R11R24R47
Noise Blocking positive
The app is effectively used to block out unwanted external noises, such as traffic, household sounds, or even coyote howls, making it useful for studying or sleeping.R5R10R15R31

Who it's for

This app is for anyone struggling with sleep, insomnia, or needing background noise for relaxation or concentration R3R5R13. It's also highly recommended for parents of babies and young children who benefit from white noise R16R35. Users who travel frequently may find it useful for sleeping in unfamiliar environments .

Evidence note: The recent reviews show a strong positive sentiment overall, consistent with the high lifetime rating. The negative points, particularly regarding sound stopping, are present but less frequent than the positive feedback. The developer's notes mention improvements to handling audio interruptions, but R11 and R47 contradict this, indicating the issue persists for some users.

Frequently asked

Does White Noise Lite play in the background or when the phone is asleep?
While some users report that the app keeps playing when the device is off or in the background R2R45, recent reviews indicate that for others, the sound stops when the phone goes to sleep or when they leave the app R11R47.
What kind of sounds are available in White Noise Lite?
White Noise Lite offers a wide variety of sounds, including brown noise, airplane travel, running shower, extreme rain, beach waves, crashing waves, and tree frogs, and also allows users to create custom sounds or record their own R2R12R25R27.
Is White Noise Lite free?
Yes, White Noise Lite is free to download and offers many sounds and features without in-app purchases R12R13R22R26.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 50 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] 5/5 · CA Love it!: Perfect! (At least for me). I love the timer feature and how instead of shutting off it slowly quieta and stops so you're not disturbed, and I love how there's a variety of sounds so you can find the one perfect for you, the one I like most is "airplane travel". My mother likes the brown noise. I had to have a loud fan in my room to get a good sleep before, then I found this and it worke
  2. [R3] 4/5 · CA Best sleep ever!: I was having a terrible time with insomnia and now I use this every night. I am sleeping so much better!
  3. [R13] 5/5 · CA Best app ever: For all the people who can’t sleep including my self, for what ever reason it may be it does not matter. This app helps me so much that it is unexplainable. The fact that it really does something for a lot of people and is free and without in app purchases not only makes it the best sleep help app but the best app there is on any mobile device. Thank you again
  4. [R14] 5/5 · CA The best: Honestly it’s just the best it always helps me sleep and it’s mainly the only thing I sleep too!! There’s so many options that you choose from :) overall amazing recommend for people who can’t sleep without certain sounds.
  5. [R12] 5/5 · CA Very useful app: I really enjoy this app and I use it every night. It has a good amount of sounds to choose from, the only sounds I wish they had are Beach with seagulls and Lakeside with birds. I would definately recommend you try it, it's free and it has helped me stay asleep and fall asleep.
  6. [R25] 5/5 · CA This app is amazing: I totally recommend this app it helps me fall asleep and when I am stressed it helps me relax, I think it is amazing in every way and there are so many options of sounds my personal favourite is running shower or extreme rain! Go get this app now!!
  7. [R5] 5/5 · CA It does what I need it to do: It helps me block out noise when I study and it soothes me while I sleep!
  8. [R10] 3/5 · CA Almost perfect...: I use this app more to block out the noise of the middle of the night coyote howl and the early morning kids screaming on the pathway system outside my house than I do to fall asleep. It works great for that. I love being to make custom noises that really cover that racket. I just wish it had a Siri shortcut; I’m usually tucked all comfy into bed before I realize I forgot to sta
  9. [R15] 5/5 · CA Zzz...: Thanks to this app, I’m able to sleep peacefully without disturbances. (I once accidentally left Bluetooth on and it connected to a speaker in the basement, which surprised me quite a bit!)
  10. [R31] 5/5 · CA Take me to the beach: This app has helped me get to sleep for several years. I only use the beach waves or the crashing waves. They “drown out” the traffic noise or household noises outside my bedroom. The sounds also put me at a peaceful beach instead of nasty places that my mind sometimes wants me to go, allowing me to quickly fall asleep.
  11. [R19] 5/5 · CA Great app: Easy to use ... lots of great sounds ... this app is perfect for my needs. No more sound machines ... just this and a Bluetooth speaker and I’m set! Thank you!
  12. [R30] 5/5 · CA This app does it all: I love this app. It does everything I want and additionally covers all the features I had no idea I wanted but now love and use daily. It’s super well designed and well thought out.
  13. [R38] 5/5 · CA The best nap app ever: There’s a selection of sounds and you can put an alarm on it so you always wake up on time.
  14. [R22] 5/5 · CA FANTASTIC: Everything is free with a lot of sounds and a lot of features!
  15. [R26] 5/5 · CA AMAZING: This app works without wifi,it’s free and there is a variety of different options for different moods you may be in.Highly recommend!!!!!!
  16. [R16] 5/5 · CA Fantastic: I've used this app as white noise through two children. 1 of them still has it on every night. I use it myself as an adult when sleeping somewhere unfamiliar (vacations mainly). Now both of my child’s use it every night. They LOVE it! I give this a 1000000000000 star rate!!!.
  17. [R20] 5/5 · CA Been using for years!: I got this for my baby five years ago. I put it on for myself on nights I can’t sleep. Amazing and reliable and oh so soothing!
  18. [R28] 5/5 · CA ⭐️✨Great App✨⭐️: This app helps my little brother get to sleep and you can even make some of your own! How good is that?
  19. [R35] 5/5 · CA I love it for my baby: I love to take it with us so she can sleep.
  20. [R9] 5/5 · CA Amazing: Been using this for years just amazing
  21. [R11] 1/5 · CA Sound stops when you leave the app!: I used to love this app on my old iPhone, but it does not work on my new iPhone (XR). As soon as the the phone goes to sleep mode the sound stops, so you can’t leave it playing all night. Please fix this.
  22. [R47] 4/5 · CA Does not play when app is closed: I wish it would continue playing if you leave the app. ALSO. All the nicknames are taken which makes it next to impossible to write this stupid review. SERIOUSLY FRUSTRATING. I was definitely not annoyed before but now I am.
  23. [R24] 3/5 · CA Was great. Now it’s buggy.: Used to work like a charm. Now sounds change and wake me up, or it won’t turn on, stay on... it’s buggy.
  24. [R8] 4/5 · CA 🔥: I really like this app but it takes up a LOT of storage but it’s worth it
  25. [R4] 3/5 · CA Waterfall: It’s not very realistic I go to a waterfall where I pick up some freight that’s a small one that sounds a lot more realistic in Springfield Ohio this sounds more like white noise machine
  26. [R6] 5/5 · CA So easy to sleep: It helps me and my sister a lot at night
  27. [R7] 5/5 · CA AMAZING!: I love this app so much it helps me sleep ty!
  28. [R45] 5/5 · CA Great!: This app has helped me in so many ways. It relaxes me and helps me sleep. I love the customization; there is virtually no limit to the sounds to choose from, including recording my own. I love the new background audio so I can do other things on my phone while still listening to this app. I recommend White Noise to anyone looking to use sound effects to relax.
  29. [R27] 5/5 · CA I have a recommended sound for sleep!: I sleep every night with white noise, and the specific sound I play is heavy rain pouring. Total sleep helper and stress reliever.

Synthesized from 50 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store