# Sleepmaker Waves

> Digital recordings of real ocean waves for sleep and relaxation. (iPhone/iPad app by James Sugrue.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sleepmaker-waves/id319381389 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [James Sugrue](https://appshunter.io/developer/1128941950)
- Category: Medical, Health & Fitness
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.20/5 from 21 App Store ratings · 118 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 115 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2009-06-13
- Data updated: 2026-07-12
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sleepmaker-waves/id319381389/reviews.md

## What is Sleepmaker Waves?

Medically speaking you need a great nights sleep. Love the beach but live to far away? Close your eyes... you are there. Fall asleep to Sleepmaker Waves. Real ocean waves, beaches and coast lines all digitally recorded, perfect for HIFI Stereo playback through your sound system or headphones

Sleepmaker Waves has been especially recorded for anyone that loves the surf – ocean – beach or rolling waves. Pure big surf (and gentle waves too) No kids. No Traffic. And most importantly, No Seagulls! These are NOT sound effects but real ocean waves, All perfectly looped by a motion picture Sound Engineer, and recorded in Digital Uncompressed Formats.

NEW FEATURES
√ 3D Touch! Automatically remembers the last 3 tracks played*
√ Retina Display graphics replaced
√ Screen turns off automatically to save battery (if selected in iPhone settings)
√ Automatic function to fade tracks out 
√ Programable Sleep Timer from 1 min to 23 hours 59 mins
√ Play previous and next tracks from lock screen (Not avail on iPhone 3GS)
√ Animation track display 
√ Animation timer display 

Sleepmaker Waves Free includes 21 tracks featuring 4 different types of Ocean Waves and Surf: 

GENTLE 
Outflow ripples
Ripples into shore 
Rolling distant surf
Splashes under pier
Waves against pier 
Waves into rock pools 

MEDIUM 
Slow waves onto rocks
Surf and waves
Waves and froth
Waves onto rocks 
Waves onto shore 
Waves under pier

HEAVY 
Big surf and waves 
Crashing waves and wind
Slow rolling surf 
Surf and Coastline winds
Surf crashing into shore 

UNDERWATER 
Waves Rolling Overhead [NEW]
Ocean scuba bubbles
Ocean with slow waves 
Waves crashing

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/sleepmakerapps for latest news updates and FREE promo code giveaways!

Also available in the App Store: 
Sleepmaker Nature Free
Sleepmaker Storms Free
Sleepmaker Rain Free

NOTE: This update REQUIRES users running iOS6 and above.
*3D Touch works only on iPhone 6S and iPhone 6+S (use your thumb for best results)

## Key features

- Real ocean wave recordings
- HIFI Stereo playback
- Programmable sleep timer
- Lock screen controls
- Automatic fade-out function
- Multiple wave categories

## What do users think of Sleepmaker Waves?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 😴 Highly effective for sleep and relaxation
- 👍 Easy to use and intuitive interface
- 🎵 High-quality, realistic wave sounds
- 💰 Free app with no ads (historically)
- ⏱️ Customizable timer options
- 🔄 Seamless looping without noticeable breaks
- 🎧 Works well with earbuds for immersive experience
- 📱 Lightweight and doesn't require cellular connection
- 🌊 Multiple wave sound variations to choose from
- 🎁 Option to upgrade to Pro version

**Cons**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezing issues
- 📺 Poor UI design in recent updates
- 🔤 Hard-to-read light fonts on blue backgrounds
- 🔊 Sound cuts off when phone enters sleep mode
- 📵 App stops working when other apps are running
- 🔋 Bright screen drains battery overnight
- 📢 Google ads introduced in recent updates
- 🎵 Some sounds described as too technical or like static
- ❌ Loss of favorite tracks after updates
- ⏰ Timer functionality unclear or difficult to access
- 🔄 Lost quick-play feature for last used sound

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes when selecting certain sound options
- Sound stops playing after 1-2 seconds on some devices
- Crashes in landscape mode on iPad
- Incompatibility with iOS 8 and iPhone 6
- App closes when changing sounds
- Crashes when app runs alongside other applications
- Screen does not dim or turn off during playback
- Sound stops when phone locks or goes to sleep
- Clicking new sounds causes immediate crashes
- Crashes after a couple of minutes of playback
- Repeating 'tick' sound in Heavy Surf track

**Most requested features**

- Stop/start button for easier control
- Repeat or loop mode option
- Screen dimming while app is running
- Ability to run app while using other apps
- More background visual options
- Consolidate multiple apps into single app
- Ability to play while viewing other apps
- Better menu accessibility and visibility

## Recent user reviews (10 of 118)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sleepmaker-waves/id319381389/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Google ads

*2025-02-18, version 5.5.1*

This app has the greatest wave sounds but after the second day it started having google ads. I don’t have an android device because I don’t want google following me around so why would I install an app with google ads on my iPad?

### 5/5 — Wow

*2022-11-26, version 5.5.1*

I’ve been using this app for years. It’s great because it never has ads and it’s free. It’s nice to turn these on even when I don’t have cellular. I’m shocked this app has yet to become popular!

### 4/5 — Stop/start button

*2022-10-29, version 5.5.1*

Is there a stop/start button or how do you turn it off when you leave the app? I can’t find the Pro version! Is there one? I may delete this app!

### 1/5 — New update broke it

*2021-04-26, version 5.5.1*

Always loved this app for years but noq after the recent update/overhaul it doesn’t work. I click a sound option and it plays 1-2 seconds before it goes mute. Tried deleting and re-downloading and still broken. Now it’s useless.

### 5/5 — Enjoying the app for years

*2021-02-04, version 5.5.1*

Simple, easy to use and relaxing. I like the gentle rolling waves. Updates have made it even better. I am recommending it for my clients.

### 2/5 — Bad UI change

*2020-12-20, version 5.5*

The light fonts on blue backgrounds are too hard to read in dim light. There was nothing wrong with the old interface; what’s the point of making it harder to read?

### 4/5 — Old UI is better

*2020-12-18, version 5.5*

I’ve been using this app for years. Basically since I got my first iPhone. I loved the old UI so much more because all I had to do was press play and it would play the last used sound. It may look better bit you sacrificed convenience because of it. Solely for that reason it bumps it from a 5 to a 4. 

(By the way heavy slow rolling surf is the best one imo)

### 5/5 — Anxiety person

*2020-09-03, version 5.4.1*

I need this app for relaxation and to help sleep. Thank you!

### 5/5 — I love this app

*2019-01-10, version 5.4.1*

It’s easy to use, and there are a lot of options to chose from to suit your mood. I live close to the ocean, but after having to travel for 3 months to inland location I had trouble sleeping at night and got really homesick. No joke, once I started using this app I would easily fall asleep and stay asleep. Thank you to the developers!

### 4/5 — Cool!!!  😎

*2018-07-24, version 5.4.1*

Awesome app I enjoy listening all night I give this 👍🏼👍🏼 must try!

## Frequently asked questions about Sleepmaker Waves

### What does Sleepmaker Waves do?

Sleepmaker Waves provides digitally recorded, real ocean wave sounds to help users fall asleep. It offers various categories of waves, from gentle to heavy surf, all looped for continuous playback.

### What are the key features of Sleepmaker Waves?

Key features include high-fidelity stereo playback, a programmable sleep timer (up to 23 hours 59 minutes), lock screen controls for track playback, and an automatic fade-out function. It also offers 21 tracks across four different wave types.

### Is Sleepmaker Waves free to use?

Yes, the free version of Sleepmaker Waves includes 21 tracks featuring four different types of ocean waves and surf. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned for this version.

### What devices is Sleepmaker Waves compatible with?

This update requires users running iOS 6 and above. Features like 3D Touch are specific to iPhone 6S and iPhone 6+S models. Playback from the lock screen is not available on iPhone 3GS.

### How can Sleepmaker Waves be used?

This app is ideal for anyone who loves the sound of the ocean and wants to create a relaxing atmosphere for sleep. The programmable timer and uninterrupted loops make it suitable for extended listening sessions to aid relaxation and sleep.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 5.5.1 — 2020-12-21

Added Lock Screen support to control playback from the Lock Screen

### 5.5 — 2020-12-14

- new UI
- added a night mode, that darkens the screen and shows the current time when not playing a track

### 5.4.1 — 2016-08-31

Minor UI related changes.

### 5.4 — 2015-12-02

√ SLEEPMAKER VESION 2 NOW AVAILABLE ! SEARCH SLEEPMAKER 2
√ Added fix for iOS 8 and below, where app would crash. 
√ We were excited to get it out to you, but didn't test it as well as we should have! Sorry about that !

NEW FEATURES
√ 3D Touch! Automatically remembers the last 3 tracks played (use your thumb for best results) *
√ New track added Rainfall In Forest

*3D Touch works only on iPhone 6S and iPhone 6+S

### 5.3 — 2015-06-16

Added a new track

## Apps similar to Sleepmaker Waves

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Rain Sounds HQ: sleep aid](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rain-sounds-hq-sleep-aid/id888786749) | 4.8 (27,316) | Free | Medical |
| [Fan Noise App Sounds for Sleep](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fan-noise-app-sounds-for-sleep/id1532724149) | 4.7 (10) | Free | Medical |
| [Soothing Sleep Sounds Timer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/soothing-sleep-sounds-timer/id1360689659) | 4.7 (131) | Free | Medical |
| [Nature lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nature-lite/id1445596425) | 3.0 (2) | Free | Medical |

## More apps by James Sugrue

- [Sleepmaker Rain 1](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sleepmaker-rain-1/id317858067)
- [Sleepmaker Storms Free](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sleepmaker-storms-free/id319376811)
- [HundredPushups](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hundredpushups/id6760929760)

All apps by James Sugrue: https://appshunter.io/developer/1128941950

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-12.*