Pianissimo: A Paced-Breathing App With Vibration
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Breathing exercises work best with your eyes closed, which is exactly when you cannot watch an animated circle. Pianissimo moves the guide from the screen to your body: rest your iPhone on your chest and follow a gentle vibration that swells as you breathe in and fades as you breathe out. Here is how it works, how to use it well, what slow breathing can and cannot do, and the one safety rule to know first.
Yes. Pianissimo guides each breath with the iPhone's vibration, so you can follow the rhythm with your eyes closed. The phone rests on your chest, and the vibration swells on the in-breath and softens on the out-breath. No watch or wearable is needed.
Most studies of paced breathing use about five to six breaths per minute, roughly ten to twelve seconds per breath. Pianissimo offers both paces. Individual results vary significantly.
How Pianissimo Works
Pianissimo turns your iPhone into a breathing metronome that you feel rather than watch.
A rhythm you can feel
The phone lies on your chest. Its vibration grows as you breathe in and eases as you breathe out, so you can keep your eyes closed from start to finish.
Two slow paces
Choose five or six breaths per minute. Many people start at six and move to five when it feels easy.
A low, soft hum
An optional low hum follows the same rhythm, for when you prefer to listen as well as feel.
No wearable to buy
Just your iPhone. No band, headset or accessory.
Nothing to sign up for
No account and no tracking. Your settings stay on your phone.
How to Use It
Lie down or sit back, rest the phone on your chest and let the vibration set the pace.
Get comfortable
Lie on your back or recline in a chair. Loosen anything tight around your chest or waist.
Place the phone on your breastbone
Lay it flat, screen up. Skip this step if you have an implanted medical device: see the safety section below.
Choose a pace and a duration
Start with a few minutes at six breaths per minute. You can lengthen the session later.
Breathe gently, not deeply
Let your breath follow the vibration without forcing big breaths. If you feel light-headed, return to normal breathing.
Make it a habit
A short session at the same moment each day, for example before sleep, is easier to keep than a long one now and then.
What Slow Breathing Can and Cannot Do
Slow breathing is a well-studied relaxation technique, not a treatment.
Reviews of slow-breathing studies report short-term increases in relaxation and changes in heart-rate variability at around six breaths per minute. Most studies are small and short, and effects differ from one person to another.
Zaccaro A, et al. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 2018. Lehrer PM, Gevirtz R. Frontiers in Psychology, 2014.Where it may help
Winding down before sleep. Taking a calmer pause in a stressful day. Shifting your attention when tinnitus feels intrusive, as described in our guide on tinnitus and stress.
What it does not do
Treat anxiety, insomnia or any medical condition. Replace care from a doctor or therapist. If symptoms last or worsen, seek professional help.
Paced Breathing vs. Box Breathing and 4-7-8
Paced breathing keeps a slow, even rhythm with no breath-holding, which makes it easy to follow for several minutes.
Paced breathing
About five to six breaths per minute, with a smooth in-breath and a slightly longer out-breath. No holds. This is the rhythm Pianissimo guides.
Box breathing
Four equal phases: breathe in, hold, breathe out, hold, often four seconds each. The holds make it slower, and some people find them uncomfortable.
4-7-8 breathing
Breathe in for four seconds, hold for seven, breathe out for eight. It is usually done for a few rounds rather than a long session.
No single pattern suits everyone. If holding your breath feels tense, an even rhythm without holds is a gentle place to start.
Who Pianissimo Is For
Pianissimo suits people who want a short, screen-free breathing routine.
- People who close their eyes to relax and lose track of an on-screen guide.
- Evening routines: a few minutes lying down before sleep.
- People living with tinnitus who want a calm pause that does not rely on listening.
- Anyone who does not want another device to charge, wear or pay for.
Safety First
Two precautions matter: implanted medical devices, and how your body responds during a session.
If you have a pacemaker, an implanted defibrillator or another implanted medical device, do not place your iPhone on your chest: Apple advises keeping iPhone more than 15 cm (6 inches) away from such devices. Ask your doctor first. If you feel dizzy, short of breath or uncomfortable, stop and breathe normally. If you have a heart or breathing condition, ask your doctor before starting, and never use the app while driving.
Pianissimo and Tinnitus Relief App
Both apps come from the same team, and they do different jobs.
- Tinnitus Relief App plays sound therapy, such as white, pink or brown noise, for tinnitus and sleep.
- Pianissimo guides slow breathing with vibration.
- Together: some people use a short breathing session to settle before starting their night sound. See sound therapy for sleep and our calm 5-minute approach for tinnitus spikes.
Pricing
Pianissimo offers two options: a yearly plan or a one-time lifetime purchase. The price is shown in the app before payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pianissimo work with my eyes closed?+
Where should I put my phone?+
How long should a session last?+
Can Pianissimo help me fall asleep?+
Is Pianissimo a medical device?+
Is Pianissimo available on Android?+
Breathe Slowly, Eyes Closed
Rest your iPhone on your chest and let a gentle vibration set the pace. No wearable, no account.
Continue Reading
- Zaccaro A, Piarulli A, Laurino M, et al. How Breath-Control Can Change Your Life: A Systematic Review on Psycho-Physiological Correlates of Slow Breathing. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 2018.
- Lehrer PM, Gevirtz R. Heart rate variability biofeedback: how and why does it work? Frontiers in Psychology, 2014.
- NHS. Breathing exercises for stress. nhs.uk.
- Apple. About potential magnetic interference with medical devices. Apple Support.