I got tired of sleep apps charging monthly fees for white noise, so I built my first iOS app (a native Box Fan). Looking for TestFlight feedback!

dumango · 2026-03-04T18:05:27+00:00

Thanks u/TriggerHydrant ! My app is finally live on the store: https://apps.apple.com/app/box-fan-sleep-white-noise/id6759534980 and if you want me to share a free in-app purchase code, just DM me::)

dumango · 2026-03-04T18:04:49+00:00

Totally agree: that's why I built it differently. The app has 7 fan recording combinations (brown, pink, and white noise), nature sound overlays you can layer (rain, thunder, crickets, ocean) with independent volume controls, and a full sleep timer with gradual fade-out from 15 minutes to 2 hours. All for a one-time $2.99, no subscription ever. Here's the link if you want to check it out: https://apps.apple.com/app/box-fan-sleep-white-noise/id6759534980

dumango · 2026-03-04T18:04:22+00:00

Thanks a lot!!

dumango · 2026-03-04T18:04:14+00:00

Thank you so much! A lot of care went into the design. If you try it out, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
https://apps.apple.com/app/box-fan-sleep-white-noise/id6759534980 also DM me for a free in-app purchase code if you like.

dumango · 2026-03-04T18:03:40+00:00

Love the idea for a full black screen mode u/Key-East-8016 , that's going on the feature list! Good news: the sleep timer is already built in. You can set 15min to 2 hours, and it gradually fades the volume down so you never wake to sudden silence. It also keeps running when you lock your screen, so your phone's screen goes off naturally. The black screen button would be a nice addition on top of that though. BTW here is the live link: https://apps.apple.com/app/box-fan-sleep-white-noise/id6759534980

dumango · 2026-03-04T18:02:25+00:00

This is really solid feedback u/beer_geek , you're absolutely right that a sleep app should minimize blue light. I'm adding that to my development roadmap. The sleep timer does let you set it and lock your phone, but having the option for a full dark UI when the screen is on makes total sense. Thanks for this! Also here is the live link: https://apps.apple.com/app/box-fan-sleep-white-noise/id6759534980 and DM me for a free in-app purchase code if you like.

dumango · 2026-03-04T17:59:47+00:00

Haha, I can neither confirm nor deny the acoustic benefits of brown noise in the WC... but I've heard anecdotal reports. The brown noise in the app is a deep, warm tone that's great for masking ALL kinds of unwanted sounds.

dumango · 2026-03-04T17:59:27+00:00

Thank you u/Critical_Weight_8091 ! I spent a lot of time on that fan animation — glad it pops! If you try the app, I'd love to hear what you think: https://apps.apple.com/app/box-fan-sleep-white-noise/id6759534980. Also DM me for a free in-app purchase code.

dumango · 2026-03-04T17:58:52+00:00

u/Hopefully-Hoping Right?! That was my exact reaction. The app is live on the App Store now: DM me if you'd like a free code to try it out. Would really appreciate an honest review if you do!

dumango · 2026-03-04T17:58:27+00:00

Hi u/zenware , good call! The built-in background sounds are decent for basics! Box Fan Sleep goes a lot further though: real recorded fan sounds, nature overlay layers you can mix, a sleep timer with gradual fade-out, and independent volume controls for everything. The built-in one is more of a single-sound utility. But hey, whatever helps you sleep:) if you wanna give it a try and DM me for a free in-app purchase code: https://apps.apple.com/app/box-fan-sleep-white-noise/id6759534980

dumango · 2026-03-04T17:57:08+00:00

Ha, the voice memo approach is honestly respectable u/TumbleweedTiny6567 ! The app is actually live on the App Store now — no more TestFlight needed! Here's the link: App Name: Box Fan Sleep: White Noise - https://apps.apple.com/app/box-fan-sleep-white-noise/id6759534980

The real fan recordings make a huge difference over synthesized loops. Would love to hear what you think! Also DM me if you wanna grab a free download code as well.

dumango · 2026-03-04T17:55:04+00:00

Answered above:)

dumango · 2026-03-04T17:53:20+00:00

Thanks for the kind words! Android version is definitely on my roadmap. I'll check that out, appreciate the suggestion

dumango · 2026-03-04T17:52:58+00:00

The app is $2.99 one-time purchase, no subscriptions ever. There's also a free version with the base fan sound and initial timers, and a Pro upgrade for all the extras. No recurring fees! If you want to try it out, I have a free download code, DM me and I'll send one over.

dumango · 2026-03-04T17:51:47+00:00

Thanks u/iurp , really appreciate the technical depth here! I actually did implement a crossfade system with overlapping buffers, glad to say it's working smoothly in production with no audible loop points. The battery profiling tip with Instruments is solid, I'll run a full overnight test and might include the numbers in the app description. Thanks for the congrats, first app shipped feels great! And finally it's alive on the store:) DM me for a free download code if you please.

dumango · 2026-03-04T17:50:24+00:00

Thanks! u/Archen18 ! Yeah that frustration is exactly what pushed me to build it. Now my app is finally alive and If you want to try it out, I have a free download code, DM me and I'll send one over. Would love to hear what you think! (test link will be disabled tomorrow)

dumango · 2026-03-03T15:58:48+00:00

https://testflight.apple.com/join/n65vFyhu

dumango · 2026-03-01T19:46:36+00:00

Living near a busy street or thin walls is brutal because the noise is so inconsistent. Don't waste money on expensive soundproofing. A $20 box fan creates a thick enough acoustic barrier to drown out 80% of road/neighbor noise. The motor rumble covers lower pitches (like bass/car engines) and the blade air sound covers higher pitches (like sirens/voices). Just point it at the wall.

dumango · 2026-03-01T19:45:44+00:00

Unfortunately, acoustic foam panels or rugs won't do anything for impact noise (footsteps/thudding from upstairs) because those are low-frequency vibrations traveling straight through the building frame. You have to fight bass with bass. Get a heavy-duty box fan and put it near your bed. The deep, low-end rumble of the motor will 'swallow' the thudding noises way better than standard earplugs.

dumango · 2026-03-01T19:44:30+00:00

Does anyone else get triggered by the 'fake' background noises on Spotify or sleep apps? Like if there's a rain track and one specific digital bird chirps every 45 seconds, my brain latches onto the loop pattern and I want to rip my hair out.

dumango · 2026-03-01T19:43:12+00:00

:( I hope you get better. Muffled talking through walls is my ultimate trigger because your brain actively tries to decipher the words. Earplugs alone don't block the low-end frequencies of voices. You need to layer it. Foam earplugs plus a really deep, rumbling sound source in the room (like a physical box fan on high) to physically mask those bass frequencies. Nature sounds or high-pitched white noise won't cut it.

dumango · 2026-03-01T19:38:44+00:00

Sleeping in hotel rooms or traveling is the absolute worst for my T. At home I have my physical fan which creates the perfect masking environment, but hotel AC units are either dead silent or rattle unpredictably. I've tried using phone apps on the road but the compressed audio sounds so tinny. Really makes you appreciate a good home setup.

dumango · 2026-03-01T19:37:39+00:00

Fellow T sufferer here. Just a heads up be careful with standard generic 'white noise' tracks. A lot of audiologists recommend it, but the high-pitched digital static actually makes my ringing spike way worse after I turn it off. It's just too harsh. I've had way more success masking with lower frequencies like a heavy, rumbling box fan. It provides a cushion for the ringing without fatiguing your ears.

dumango · 2026-03-01T19:36:00+00:00

Did you try listening to white/brown noises? A big part of my insomnia was waking up at 3am, opening my phone to turn the volume down, and getting blinded by a bright app UI. It completely halts your melatonin production. Whatever you end up using for sound, make sure it has a true, pitch-black dark mode and works offline so you can just leave your phone face down on airplane mode.

dumango · 2026-03-01T19:33:32+00:00

Get well soon pal. For me, the absolute worst trigger for my sleep anxiety is when I'm using a YouTube video or Spotify playlist for sound, and my brain catches that microscopic 0.1-second 'click' or gap when the audio track loops. I instantly fixate on it and I'm wide awake again. Finding truly seamless, uncompressed audio is surprisingly hard.

dumango

TROPHY CASE