Apple has now released the first beta of iOS 18.4 to developers, and while we’re still awaiting some major Apple Intelligence features, there are many noteworthy updates in this release. Here’s a summary of the key changes, organized for clarity:
1. Enhancements in Notifications and Communication
- Priority Notifications: The Wiser Approach to Notifications Handling
iOS 18.4 introduces Priority Notifications, helping you focus on the most crucial alerts. By default, it’s off, but you can activate it under Settings > Notifications > Enable Priority Notifications. Once enabled, your phone uses Apple Intelligence to display important messages in a dedicated area of the Lock Screen. - Mail Categorization on iPadOS 18.4
The Mail app on iPadOS 18.4 gets an upgrade, automatically sorting incoming emails. Important emails will be in a Primary section, while others are categorized into Social, Deals, and Product Orders for easier management. - New Voices for Siri
Siri adds two new Australian voices in iOS 18.4, giving users more options for personalizing interactions with Apple’s virtual assistant. - Shortcuts Update: Convenient Access to Conversations
A new feature in Shortcuts allows users to set up actions to open specific conversations in the Messages app, making automation even more useful.
2. News and Content Consumption Enhanced
- Apple News+ is Adding a Food Category
iOS 18.4 introduces a Food section in Apple News+, featuring a wide range of recipes, restaurant stories, and healthful food ideas from top food publishers. Users can explore a Recipe Catalog and even access a step-by-step Cook Mode. Favorite recipes can be saved for offline access.
>>>A2C0457640000 for LEP HWID 370001_SYA1
3. Upgrades in Control Center and Sound
- Ambient Music Suitable for Any Emotion
Ambient Music is now part of Control Center in iOS 18.4. Users can choose from four categories: Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing, each providing a selection of soothing sounds. You can easily switch between them with a tap, though specific songs can’t be chosen directly from Control Center. - Cellular Signal in Control Center
The Cellular toggle now displays signal strength with clear, simple bars to better indicate connection quality.
4. Visuals and UI Changes
- Image Playground is Going Sketch Style
iOS 18.4 introduces a new Sketch style in the Image Playground feature, providing a hand-drawn look. Users can easily switch between the different styles using the “+” button in the app. The Winter Holidays theme has also been replaced with a fresh Spring theme. - More Noticeable Privacy Dots
iOS 18.4 enhances the visibility of privacy indicator dots, showing when the camera or microphone is in use. The dots are now positioned on the left side of the menu bar and are more noticeable against a black background. - Genmoji Icon is Getting a Label
The Genmoji icon on the emoji keyboard now has a label (“Genmoji”) to make it easier to find and create your own custom Genmoji characters.
5. Maps and Location Service Updates
- Preferred Language in Apple Maps
Users can now set their preferred language for Apple Maps, offering more personalization for navigation. - Support for ‘My Number Card’ in Wallet in Japan
iOS 18.4 introduces support for Japan’s My Number Card Digital IDs in the Wallet app. This feature will be fully available by Spring 2025, allowing over 100 million Japanese residents to store their national ID cards securely on their iPhones.
6. CarPlay and Default Apps Updates
- CarPlay Home Screen Update
Some CarPlay users will now see a third row of icons, providing quicker access to apps without needing to scroll. - Default Translation and Navigation Apps
Users can now choose a different translation app as the default in Settings > Default Apps. EU users also have the option to select a third-party navigation app instead of Apple Maps.
>>>SP502626SF for Ticwatch C2
7. Features for Enterprise and Education
- Mobile Device Management (MDM) Improvements
iOS 18.4 brings useful updates for MDM, including the ability to disable Apple Intelligence reports, Mail smart replies, and Safari’s content summarization. Admins can also prevent changes to default calling and messaging apps. - Vision Pro App and Guest Mode
A new Vision Pro app allows users to manage their headset, including app downloads, Personalized Spatial Audio adjustments, and serial number tracking. The app also enables Guest Mode management, making it easy for others to try the headset with limited access.
8. Bug Fixes and Known Issues
- Wi-Fi Calling Bug
Apple acknowledges a bug affecting Wi-Fi calling for US Cellular customers on iOS 18.4. If you’re impacted, it’s advised to revert to iOS 18.3 until the issue is resolved.
When Can We Expect iOS 18.4?
Apple plans to release iOS 18.4 to the public in April 2025, so keep an eye out for the stable version when it’s ready!