iOS 18.4: Everything You Need to Know

Apple has officially released iOS 18.4, and it’s packed with over 60 new features, improvements, and bug fixes. This update is available for all iOS 18-supported devices and brings enhancements to performance, battery life, and usability. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what’s new in iOS 18.4.

New Features in iOS 18.4

1. Control Center Enhancements

• Ambient Music Controls: Four new toggles for Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Well-being playlists.
• Real-Time Signal Updates: Cellular and Wi-Fi signal strength now updates dynamically in the Control Center.
• Visual Intelligence Access: iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max users can now access Visual Intelligence directly from the Control Center.

2. Apple Intelligence Updates

• Priority Notifications: Automatically prioritizes important notifications and separates them in the Notification Center.
• Expanded Language Support: Apple Intelligence now supports eight new languages, including French, German, and Japanese.
• Visual Intelligence: Available for iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, allowing users to scan surroundings for actionable insights.

3. Photos App Improvements

• Reordering Media Types: Customize the order of media types and utilities.
• New Filters: Filter photos by “Not in an Album” or “Synced from Mac/PC.”
• Hidden Photos Exclusion: Hidden photos are no longer included when importing to a Mac or PC if Face ID is enabled.

4. Safari Updates

• Recent Searches: Displays recent searches in the search bar (can be disabled in settings).
• Connection Security Details: View detailed HTTPS certificate information for websites.

5. New Emoji

Seven new emoji have been added, including a fingerprint, harp, and splatter.

iOS 18.4 Beta 2: What’s New and Improved in the Latest Developer Release

Apple has released iOS 18.4 Beta 2 to registered developers, continuing the refinement process for the upcoming iOS 18.4 update. This release builds upon the features introduced in Beta 1, adding new functionalities and addressing known issues. Let’s dive into everything new in iOS 18.4 Beta 2.

Release Overview

iOS 18.4 Beta 2 arrives less than two weeks after the initial developer release. The update weighs in at 1.34 GB on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The build number is 22E5216H, indicating that we are still a few betas away from the final release.

iOS 18.4 Beta 1: A First Look at What’s New

Apple has released iOS 18.4 Beta 1 to developers, offering a glimpse into the next iteration of its mobile operating system. This release is notable for its focus on expanding Apple Intelligence features, introducing new Control Center options, and making quality-of-life improvements. Let’s dive into the key changes and what you can expect from this beta.

Release Overview

iOS 18.4 Beta 1 arrived as a surprise Friday release, accompanied by updates for iPadOS 18.4, watchOS 11.4, macOS Sequoia 15.4, tvOS 18.4, and visionOS 2.4. The update size is substantial, clocking in at around 7.72 GB on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The build number is 22E5200s, indicating that we are still early in the beta cycle.

iOS 18: Essential Settings to Change Right Away

iOS 18 is a significant update, packed with new features and functionalities. To optimize your experience, privacy, and battery life, here are crucial settings you should adjust immediately after upgrading your iPhone.

1. Enable Custom Charge Limit

Preserve and extend your iPhone’s battery life by setting a custom charge limit. Lithium-ion batteries degrade faster when consistently charged to 100%.

• Go to Settings > Battery > Charging.
• Use the Charge Limit slider to set a limit, ideally around 90%.
• If you don’t have the slider, enable Optimized Battery Charging to cap charging at 80%.

2. Enable RCS Messaging

Rich Communication Services (RCS) brings enhanced texting features when messaging Android users, including read receipts, improved group chats, and higher-quality media sharing.