Apple has released the latest version of its mobile operating system, iOS 26.4, as a public beta. The public release is expected in March or April. This update introduces several new features across Apple’s apps and services.
One of the most significant additions is in Apple Music. A new AI-powered feature called Playlist Playground lets users generate a custom 25-song playlist from a simple text prompt, like “upbeat workout mix.” Users can then refine the results and select matching cover art. Apple Music’s interface has also been refreshed to showcase full-screen artwork. Additionally, a new “Concerts Near You” section helps users discover live shows from their favorite artists, with filtering by date, genre, and location.
The Podcasts app now supports video episodes. Creators can publish video podcasts using HTTP Live Streaming, and listeners can seamlessly switch between audio and video playback within the same episode. Video episodes will be integrated with personalized recommendations and editorial curation. The feature supports offline downloads and includes automatic quality adjustment for better playback on Wi-Fi or cellular networks.
Messaging receives a security upgrade with the beginning of testing for end-to-end encrypted Rich Communication Services. This encryption will eventually help ensure messages between iPhone and Android users are as secure as iMessage. Currently, it is only in testing between iPhones in the beta.
For security, Stolen Device Protection is now enabled by default. This adds an extra layer of biometric authentication for sensitive actions like accessing saved passwords, reducing risk if a device is stolen and the passcode is compromised.
Apple CarPlay gains support for in-car video playback from select apps, including the Apple TV app, but only when the vehicle is parked. CarPlay will also, for the first time, offer access to third-party AI services like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Anthropic’s Claude.
The Camera app introduces Audio Zoom. When recording video, the microphone focuses on the subject as you zoom in, reducing background noise and enhancing clarity for subjects like speeches or performances.
The Ambient Music feature is now accessible through a widget on the Home Screen, letting users instantly play soundscapes for focus, sleep, or relaxation. The Reminders app adds a new “Urgent” section that groups high-priority tasks and can trigger more prominent alerts as deadlines approach.
Several other smaller features are included. A unified Apple Account Hub replaces the profile feature in Apple apps. The Messages app has a new animation when drafting a message. The Wallpaper Gallery has been redesigned with new categories. Apple Music now allows adding songs to multiple playlists at once.
The Health app adds a new Average Bedtime metric and updates the Vitals section to include Blood Oxygen level on the daily graph. Freeform adds a Content Hub for Creator Studio subscribers. The Personal Hotspot feature now includes a Data Usage section. Live Captions adds support for Chinese (Taiwan). Shortcuts gains a new “Set Battery Charge Limit” action. The App Store’s Search bar returns to the top of the screen. The iCloud section in Settings now features a more prominent link to iCloud.com.
Notably, a next-generation Siri experience is absent from this release, with reports indicating those larger AI changes have been delayed again.