Here Are the New Features Coming in IOS 26.4.
iOS 26.3 was a relatively minor update . It added a new data transfer tool to Android and gave some iPhones the ability to hide precise location data from cellular networks. But aside from a few other minor changes and security fixes, that’s all there was to note. iOS 26.4 is a different story. The update, currently in beta, adds a number of interesting new features for compatible iPhones, especially for Apple Music users.
Like any beta software, iOS 26.4 is currently in testing, meaning these features are subject to change at any time. Some may not be included in the official iOS 26.4 release, and others may look different than they do now. While you can install the iOS 26.4 beta at any time by enrolling your device in the beta program , do so at your own risk. I recommend using a secondary device to test this software if possible, but always make sure you back up your device completely to your computer before installing the beta.
Playlist Playground lets you create playlists using artificial intelligence.
The latest trend in streaming services seems to be AI-generated playlists. YouTube Music recently introduced this feature , and Spotify offers several different variations of this feature. The idea is to tell the AI what music you want to listen to, whether it’s a specific artist or genre, or simply a concept or mood (e.g., “Create me a playlist for drinking coffee on a lazy Sunday morning”).
Now, Apple Music is the latest service to introduce a similar feature. The first beta of iOS 26.4 includes ” Playlist Playground ,” which works pretty much as expected. You tell Apple Music’s AI what you want to hear, and it generates a playlist of 25 different songs. You can edit the playlist if you’re not satisfied with the results, as well as edit the title, cover art, and description.
Apple Music has received an updated visual design.
In addition to the Playlist Playground, iOS 26.4 also brings a redesigned Apple Music user interface. When listening to music, you’ll see new full-screen album art, as well as updated albums and playlists that change color based on the artwork. Additionally, a new “Concerts Near You” feature helps you find concerts in your area based on your musical preferences.
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iOS 26.4 finally brings end-to-end encryption to RCS.
RCS support is the best thing to happen to the iPhone in a long time. It makes texting for Android users virtually identical to iPhone users, something that hasn’t been the case for most of iMessage’s history. But while most standard features, including working group chats and high-quality image sharing, were included in the update, one key feature remains: end-to-end encryption (E2EE).
Without end-to-end encryption (E2EE), your messages can be intercepted and read by those with the necessary skills. With E2EE, this is impossible. This is an important security feature, key to both iMessage and RCS, and one of the reasons why you shouldn’t send messages via SMS, as it doesn’t support E2EE. Not all Android devices support E2EE over RCS, but it’s still a shame that the Messages app on iPhone doesn’t either.
Things are changing. With the release of the first beta of iOS 26.4, Apple is testing end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS. This option is available in Settings, although Apple notes that not all devices and carriers support it. However, iPhone users sending text messages to Android users via RCS will soon be able to take advantage of the additional security benefits of end-to-end encryption.
Apple has changed the way you choose wallpaper sets on your iPhone.
In iOS 26.4, Apple changed the wallpaper settings menu. Previously, you could choose from preloaded wallpaper packs on your iPhone; now, you can select which packs you want to download. This is a small but interesting change. It seems Apple no longer wants to assume you’re interested in every wallpaper option and prefers to choose the ones you want to try. Apple also made similar changes to the watch face selection in the Apple Watch app.
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The Reminders app on your iPhone now has an Urgent section.
If you’ve ever marked reminders as “urgent” on your iPhone, you’ll find them in a new location. Now, when you open Reminders, you’ll see the “Urgent” section, along with other options like “Today,” “All,” and “Scheduled.”
macOS 26.4 introduces a feature to limit battery life on your Mac.
While not an iOS feature, it’s a key new feature in the first beta of macOS 26.4. Apple is currently testing a “charge limit” feature on the Mac , similar to the charge limit feature already in iOS ; when your device is plugged in for an extended period, it limits the battery’s charge level. You can set the limit from 80% to 100%. The idea is that by limiting the charge level, you reduce the number of full charge cycles the battery needs, which can extend its lifespan and slow down aging. The younger your battery, the longer it will last between charges, so enthusiasts love using these features to maximize the battery life of their devices.