DozeClock › Sleep sound apps compared › Old iPhones
Which sleep sound apps still run on an old iPhone?
Rain Rain and Sleep Pillow reach the oldest iPhones: their current versions need iOS 12, so they run on an iPhone 5s or newer. Our app, Fall Asleep, needs iOS 16. Pick your iPhone below to see which apps fit.
From US App Store listings, November 1, 2026. We make Fall Asleep and did not test the other apps.
7 of 8 apps run on iPhone 8
iPhone 8 can reach iOS 16.
- Rain Rain Sleep SoundsRuns · needs iOS 12
- Sleep Sounds by Sleep PillowRuns · needs iOS 12
- Bedtime Fan, White Noise BabyRuns · needs iOS 15
- BetterSleepRuns · needs iOS 15
- White Noise Deep Sleep SoundsRuns · needs iOS 15
- White Noise LiteRuns · needs iOS 15
- Fall Asleep (ours)Runs · needs iOS 16
- CalmNeeds iOS 18
Every iPhone is in the table below.
Every iPhone against every app
The first table shows the newest iOS each group of iPhones can install. The second shows what each app's current version asks for.
| iPhone | Last iOS | Apps that run |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 5s, 6, 6 Plus | iOS 12 | 2 of 8 |
| iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, SE (1st generation) | iOS 15 | 6 of 8 |
| iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X | iOS 16 | 7 of 8 |
| iPhone XR, XS, XS Max | iOS 18 | 8 of 8 |
| iPhone 11, SE (2nd generation) or newer | iOS 26 or later | 8 of 8 |
| App | Needs | Last updated |
|---|---|---|
| Rain Rain Sleep Sounds | iOS 12 | January 22, 2025 |
| Sleep Sounds by Sleep Pillow | iOS 12 | October 30, 2023 |
| Bedtime Fan, White Noise Baby | iOS 15 | October 2, 2026 |
| BetterSleep | iOS 15 | October 21, 2026 |
| White Noise Deep Sleep Sounds | iOS 15 | September 25, 2026 |
| White Noise Lite | iOS 15 | October 29, 2026 |
| Fall Asleep (ours) | iOS 16 | October 10, 2026 |
| Calm | iOS 18 | October 26, 2026 |
Sources: each app's US App Store listing, November 1, 2026, and Apple's iPhone User Guide model lists. Listings change when an app updates, so a requirement can rise.
Where our app stands
Fall Asleep is not the choice for the oldest phones: an iPhone 7 or earlier can't run its current version. It does run where Calm's current version doesn't, on an iPhone 8, 8 Plus or X. Before you pick it for an old phone, know its limits: the free version shows ads, stops when the screen locks, and has no ratings yet on the US store. It has no Android version. If your phone is older, Rain Rain says it is free with no limit on playback time, and you can compare the rest in eight sleep sound apps side by side.
Questions
How do I find my iPhone model and iOS version?
Open Settings, then General, then About. Model Name and iOS Version are both on that screen. If Software Update offers something newer, install it first: the list above goes by the version your phone can reach, not the one it has now.
What happens if an app needs a newer iOS than my iPhone has?
The current version won't install. Developers can keep an earlier version available for older devices, and the App Store may offer it, but that depends on the app and is not guaranteed. An older version also misses later fixes and may not match its listing today.
Which of these apps are still being updated?
It varies. On November 1, 2026, six of the eight had an update in the last six weeks. Rain Rain was last updated in January 2025 and Sleep Pillow in October 2023, so the two apps that reach the oldest phones are also the two that have gone longest without an update.
Can an old iPhone work as a bedside sound machine?
Yes, and it suits the job. Keep it on the charger and install the app while you have Wi-Fi. If the app stops when the screen locks, set Display & Brightness, then Auto-Lock, to Never while it is plugged in. Background Sounds, built into iOS 15 and later, needs no app at all on an iPhone 6s or newer.
How we checked
We read each app's US App Store listing on November 1, 2026 and took the minimum iOS from it. We matched that against Apple's lists of supported iPhones. We did not install the other apps on old phones, so "runs" means the listing allows it, not that we saw it work. We make Fall Asleep; none of the other apps paid to be here. Found something out of date? Tell us.
Sources
- iPhone models compatible with iOS 15, 16, 17 and 18 (iPhone User Guide) — Apple Support
- iPhone models compatible with the current iOS (iPhone User Guide) — Apple Support
- Make a version unavailable for download, including last-compatible versions — App Store Connect Help
General information from population studies (NIH, CDC, NSF, AASM). It is not medical advice and does not replace a clinician who knows you.