Apple iOS 18.4 Features List Is Here

Apple is beta testing iOS 18.4, and while it doesn’t include the much-anticipated Apple Intelligence Siri features, there are plenty of exciting updates to explore. Here’s everything we know so far:

Priority Notifications – Apple Intelligence

iOS 18.4 introduces a new Priority Notifications feature, letting you see your most important notifications first. By default, this feature is off, but you can enable it by going to Settings > Notifications > Prioritize Notifications and turning on the toggle. With Priority Notifications active, Apple Intelligence will categorize crucial notifications into a dedicated section on your Lock Screen.

Image Playground Gets a Sketch Style

The Image Playground app now includes a new Sketch style, joining the Animation and Illustration styles. Previously, Sketch was exclusive to Image Wand, but now it’s available directly in Image Playground. Switch styles easily by tapping the “+” button in the app. Additionally, Apple has replaced the old “Winter Holidays” theme with a fresh “Spring” theme.

Expanded Apple Intelligence Language Support

Apple Intelligence now supports more languages, including French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese. Localized English options are also available for Singapore and India.

Apple News+ Adds a Food Section

Subscribers to Apple News+ will now see a dedicated Food section, featuring thousands of recipes, restaurant stories, healthy eating tips, and kitchen essentials. Content comes from top publishers like Allrecipes, Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, and Serious Eats. You’ll also find a Recipe Catalog with step-by-step cook modes and offline saving options.

Ambient Music in Control Center

A new Ambient Music feature has been added to Control Center, offering four sound categories: Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing. Each category plays a random selection of sounds or music and can be managed via the Now Playing widget for skipping or viewing track names.

Updated Mail Categorization on iPads

iPadOS 18.4 brings an updated Mail app with email categorization, organizing messages into sections like Primary, Orders, Newsletters, Deals, and Social. This feature was first introduced on iPhones in iOS 18.2.

Improved Privacy Indication Dots

The small camera and microphone indicator dots on the iPhone’s menu bar are now more visible, moved to the left with a black background for better clarity.

Siri Gets New Voices

Two new Australian voices have been added for Siri.

Genmoji Label Update

The Genmoji icon in the Emoji keyboard now displays the label “Genmoji,” making it clearer where to create your custom characters.

Photos App Updates

The Photos app now includes filters to view images shared with you or those not in albums. You can also view albums by key photos. In the Photos Settings, there’s a toggle to show or hide the Recently Viewed and Recently Shared albums.

Type to Siri Improvements

When using Type to Siri, the keyboard now collapses once Siri responds. To type another request, simply tap the Siri bar. A new toggle allows activation of Type to Siri with the side button, though this feature may still have bugs in the current beta.

Back Tap Notifications

Users with the Back Tap Accessibility feature enabled will now receive notifications confirming when a double or triple tap action is performed.

Apple Maps Preferred Language Option

A new setting in Apple Maps allows users to choose their preferred language.

Passwords App Enhancements

In the Passwords app, verification codes for two-factor authentication now display a countdown circle, indicating when a new code will be generated.

Podcasts Widgets

New Library and Shows widgets are available for the Home Screen. The Library widget highlights saved content, while the Shows widget features your subscriptions. The Podcasts app now also offers new Podcast and Notification Settings under your profile.

Easier Mac Setup

iPhones and iPads can now sign in to a nearby Mac for initial setup using an Apple Account. This requires macOS Sequoia 15.4 or later.

Control Center UI Tweaks

The Cellular and Wi-Fi toggles in Control Center now display signal strength with bars. Brightness and Sound sliders change color when adjusted below the icon’s position. The Focus option also features new arrows, indicating additional settings.

Improved Shortcuts

A new Shortcuts action lets you open specific conversations in the Messages app.

CarPlay Enhancements

Some users have noticed a third row of icons on the CarPlay Home Screen, expanding beyond the usual two rows.

Change Default Apps

You can now set a different default Translation app in iOS 18.4. In the EU, users can also select alternative default Navigation apps.

Smoother Notification Center Animation

The animation when swiping out of the Notification Center has been refined for a smoother experience.

Camera Control Options

On iPhone 16 models, additional camera apps for Camera Control are now grouped under a dedicated section in Settings.

Safari Connection Security Details

Safari now includes a Connection Security Details interface, letting you view website certificates to verify site security.

Wi-Fi Calling Issues for US Cellular Users

Apple has noted that Wi-Fi Calling may not work for US Cellular customers in this beta. Affected users should revert to iOS 18.3 to restore functionality.

HomeKit Robot Vacuum Support

iOS 18.4 adds Matter-enabled robot vacuum support for HomeKit, though not all models will immediately work. Manufacturers will need to implement Matter support for compatibility.

Japan My Number Card Integration

The Wallet app now includes support for Japan’s “My Number Card” Digital IDs, with a broader rollout expected by spring 2025.

MDM Updates for Enterprise Users

For businesses and schools, MDM updates allow disabling Apple Intelligence reports, Mail smart replies, Safari content summaries, and the Idle Reboot feature. Admins can also block changes to default calling and messaging apps.

Vision Pro Updates

A new Vision Pro app is on the way, offering tools for downloading apps, managing headset settings, and enabling Personalized Spatial Audio. A Guest Mode feature will allow Vision Pro owners to limit app access for other users.