How to play background sounds like rain on a Mac

2 min read · 6 steps · Updated 4 October 2026

Short answer

Open System Settings, click Accessibility, then Audio, and switch on Background sounds. Click Choose next to Background sound to pick a sound such as Rain or Balanced Noise, and set its volume with the slider below. No app or subscription is needed.

Device: Mac
Shown on: macOS Tahoe 26
App: System Settings
Path: System Settings › Accessibility › Audio
Real screenshots: 6 of 6 steps
Checked: October 2026
Sources: 1 official, linked below

macOS has a built-in noise player. The settings page describes its purpose: background sounds mask unwanted environmental noise, and can minimise distractions, increase a sense of focus and help with symptoms related to tinnitus.

The screenshots show System Settings on macOS Tahoe 26.

Step by step

Open System Settings
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen and choose System Settings.
Done
Click Accessibility, then Audio
Accessibility is in the sidebar. Audio is the first row of the Hearing group on the right.
Done
Switch on Background sounds
It is the first row of the Background Sounds group. In the picture it is off.
Done
Choose the sound
Click Choose in the Background sound row. In the picture the sound is set to Rain.
Done
Set the volume
Drag the Background sounds volume slider. This is separate from the system volume.
Done
Let it stop by itself
Timer stops the sounds at a specific time or after an amount of time. The switch at the bottom of the group turns them off automatically when the Mac sleeps, the screen saver is on or the screen is locked.
Done