iOS 26.3 was a decidedly small replace. It launched a brand new device to switch knowledge to Android, and gave some iPhones the power to cover exact location knowledge from mobile networks. However past another small adjustments and safety patches, that is all there was to write down dwelling about. iOS 26.4 is a special story. The replace, which is presently in beta testing, provides quite a few attention-grabbing new options to suitable iPhones, particularly in case you’re an Apple Music consumer.
As with all beta software program, iOS 26.4 is presently in testing, which implies these options are topic to vary at any time. It is attainable some will not make it to the official launch of iOS 26.4, whereas others might look completely different than they do now. When you can set up the iOS 26.4 beta at any time by enrolling your system within the beta program, accomplish that at your individual discretion. I would advocate utilizing a secondary system to check this software program in case you can, however both method, ensure the system in query is absolutely backed as much as a pc earlier than putting in the beta.
iOS 26.4 comes with eight new emojis
Credit score: Lifehacker/Apple
Whereas this is not a “main function,” new emojis are at all times enjoyable after we can get them. On this case, Apple is taking iOS 26.4 as a possibility to roll out its tackle the Unicode 17 normal, which incorporates eight new emoji. That features “Distorted Face,” “Struggle Cloud,” “Ballet Dancer,” “Orca,” “Bushy Creature,” “Trombone,” “Landslide,” and “Treasure Chest.”
Playlist Playground helps you to generate playlists with AI
The newest pattern in streaming providers appears to be AI-generated playlists. YouTube Music lately rolled out the choice, whereas Spotify affords a couple completely different takes on the function. The concept is to inform the AI what kind of music you wish to take heed to, whether or not that be a selected artist or style, or only a idea or temper (e.g., “Make me a playlist for ingesting espresso on a lazy Sunday morning”).
Now Apple Music is the most recent service to introduce such a function. The iOS 26.4 beta comes with “Playlist Playground,” which works about the way you’d anticipate. You inform Apple Music’s AI what you wish to hear, and it generates a playlist with 25 completely different songs. You may alter the playlist in case you do not just like the consequence, in addition to edit the title, cowl picture, and outline.
Apple Music will get a visible overhaul
Along with Playlist Playground, Apple Music’s UI can be altering in iOS 26.4. You will see new full-page paintings when listening to music, in addition to redesigned albums and playlists that alter their colours primarily based on the paintings. Plus, there’s now a “Live shows Close to You” function that helps you discover exhibits in your space, primarily based on the music you prefer to take heed to.
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iOS 26.4 lastly introduces end-to-end encryption for RCS
RCS assist is one of the best factor to occur to the iPhone in a very long time: It makes texting Android customers about the identical as texting iPhone customers, which has not been the case for many of iMessage’s historical past. However whereas many of the normal perks rolled in with the replace, together with functioning group chats and high-quality picture sharing, one key function didn’t: end-to-end encryption (E2EE).
With out E2EE, your messages could be intercepted and skim by these with the abilities to take action. With E2EE, they can’t. It is a main safety function that is key to each iMessage and RCS, and one of many causes you should not ship messages over SMS, because it does not assist E2EE. Not all Android setups assist E2EE over RCS, however it’s nonetheless a bummer that the iPhone’s Messages app does not both.
That is now altering. With the iOS 26.4 beta, Apple is now testing E2EE for RCS. You will discover the choice in Settings, although Apple notes that not all units or carriers assist it. Sometime quickly, nonetheless, iPhone customers texting Android customers over RCS will have the ability to benefit from the added safety advantages of E2EE.
What do you assume thus far?
Apple modified the way you select wallpaper packs on iPhone
With iOS 26.4, Apple modified the Wallpapers settings menu. Earlier than, you could possibly choose from pre-downloaded wallpaper packs in your iPhone; now, you’ll be able to select which packs you wish to obtain as an alternative. It is a small change, however an attention-grabbing one at that. It appears Apple does not wish to assume you are thinking about all of its wallpaper choices anymore, and as an alternative would fairly choose and select those you wish to strive. Apple additionally made related adjustments to choosing watch faces within the Apple Watch app.
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Your iPhone’s Reminders now has an “Pressing” part
When you ever label reminders as “pressing” in your iPhone, you will discover them in a brand new location. Now, while you open Reminders, you’l discover an Pressing part, alongside different choices like As we speak, All, and Scheduled.
“Scale back Spotlight Results Accessibility” is now “Scale back Shiny Results”
Apple modified the identify of its “Scale back Spotlight Results Accessibility” setting to “Scale back Shiny Results.” Now, it comes with an outline: “Reduce highlighting and flashing when interacting with onscreen parts, corresponding to buttons or the keyboard.” The is especially an “problem” with iOS 26, which incorporates extra lighting results with its Liquid Glass design.
macOS 26.4 introduces a Cost Restrict function on Mac
Whereas this is not an iOS function, it’s a key new change within the macOS 26.4 beta. Apple is now testing a “cost restrict” function on Mac, much like the cost restrict function that already exists on iOS; when your system is plugged in for a protracted time period, it can restrict how a lot the battery can cost to. You may set the cap as little as 80%, or as excessive as 100%. The concept is, by limiting the cost degree, you cut back how typically the battery completes a full cost cycle, which might delay its lifespan and delay growing older. The “youthful” your battery is, the longer it’s going to final between costs, so fans like to make use of these options to maximise how a lot battery life they’ll get out of their units.
As well as, all Macs are getting the MacBook Neo’s new wallpaper with macOS 26.4. The wallpaper is available in purple, blue, pink, and yellow, and use bubbles to spell out the phrase “Mac.”
