Here Are All the New Features in IOS 18.4
The new iOS 18.4 beta still lacks the updated AI Siri , on-screen support, and the app integration feature we were promised back in June at WWDC . If you’re waiting for these features, try your luck with iOS 18.5.
However, 18.4 is not an empty update. The first beta introduces priority notifications and Apple Intelligence now supports more languages, which is great news for Apple users around the world. Additionally, Apple Intelligence is now available in the European Union for the first time. Here’s everything new in iOS 18.4.
Priority notifications
One of the new features in iOS 18.4 is priority notifications. With this feature enabled, your iPhone will use the device’s built-in intelligence to determine which notifications are truly important and highlight them in a new Priority Notifications box at the top.
However, in this beta it is not enabled by default. Go to Settings > Notifications > Prioritize Notifications , then turn the feature on.
Sketch Style in Image Playground
When you create an image in the Image Playground , you’ll see a new style option called “Sketch”. This style makes it look like your AI-generated image was sketched on paper. If this sounds familiar, it’s because we also saw it at WWDC, but Apple just brought it to iOS with this update.
New Ambient Music feature in Control Center
Apple already has a background sounds feature that generates nature sounds for ambient playback. However, in iOS 18.4, you will find a new Ambient Music section in Control Center. There are four options: Sleep, Cool, Productivity and Well-Being. Press one and it will play the corresponding playlist from Apple Music.
Apple has mapped a playlist to each button by default, but you’re not bound to any of them. If you go into edit mode and then tap a control, you can choose a different playlist (Apple gives you four different options for each control) or you can choose any playlist from your own collection.
Apple Intelligence comes to the EU
Apple Intelligence now supports French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (Simplified), and now supports localized English in both India and Singapore.
Recipes are available on the News+ app.
The News app has a new Apple News Food+ section for paid subscribers. Here you can access tens of thousands of aesthetically pleasing recipes. There are also stories, restaurant reviews and more.
New Mail app available on iPad and Mac
iPadOS 18.4 beta and macOS 15.4 beta will bring an updated Mail app to iPad and Mac. After the update, you’ll have access to email categories and other AI features on your tablet and computer.
Much better Genmoji button.
When I wrote about Genmoji , I was tempted to call it a hidden feature, because that’s exactly what it seemed like. Genmoji was simply a multi-colored emoji hidden in the corner of the Emoji keyboard.
Apple seems to have learned its lesson: in version 18.4, the new icon says “Gemoji” next to the rainbow emoji.
New podcast widgets
There are two new widgets in the Podcasts app: one for Library and one for Shows . The Library widget can display all saved, downloaded and recent issues. The Show widget is designed to highlight all the episodes of one show. You can select a show and then access all the latest episodes of the show from the home screen.
More choice for default apps
Apple’s default selection of apps is expanding . You can now set a different Translator app as your default, and if you’re in the EU, choosing a default navigation app is now supported as well. (If you’re not in the EU, try using Map Redirect as a workaround.)
Changes to CarPlay
Some users feel that CarPlay adds a third row of app icons to the home screen.
Other small changes
Major app updates like iOS 18.4 usually include a number of smaller changes in addition to the more noticeable ones. Here’s what else iOS 18.4 brings to your iPhone:
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When you set up a new device with iOS 18.4, you’ll be asked to select an age range. You can choose from “Child” (12 years or younger), “Teen” (13-17 years old), and “Adult” (18 years old or older). Apple says it will only use this data to set up parental controls.
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The Messages app has two new Shortcuts actions: Open Conversation and Send Message .
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When you go to edit your albums, you’ll see a new “View List” option, which will hopefully make rearranging your albums easier.