Apple this week launched the latest version of its cellular working system, iOS 26.4, which introduces a number of new options, together with an AI-powered playlist-generation function in Apple Music, help for video content material within the Podcasts app, end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages, and extra.
The replace is presently accessible in pubic beta, with the general public launch anticipated someday in March or April.
Apple Music’s AI playlist
One of the crucial noticeable enhancements arrives in Apple Music — iOS 26.4 introduces a brand new AI-powered “Playlist Playground” function that leverages Apple Intelligence. The function permits customers to generate a customized 25-song playlist from a textual content immediate, similar to “upbeat exercise combine” or “calm night.” Customers can then additional refine the outcomes and even choose matching cowl artwork.
As well as, Apple Music’s consumer interface has been refreshed to showcase full-screen paintings for albums and playlists.
Live shows Close to You
Plus, Apple Music is getting a brand new “Live shows Close to You” part that helps customers uncover reside exhibits from their favourite artists. You may filter this part by Date and Style, or swap areas when you’re touring.
Apple Podcasts video episodes
Following Spotify’s push into video, Apple’s Podcasts app is making it straightforward to switch back and forth between audio and video episodes with this launch. Creators can publish video podcasts utilizing HTTP Reside Streaming (HLS), and listeners can seamlessly swap between audio and video playback throughout the similar episode, transferring to a full horizontal show in the event that they select.
At launch, the video episodes shall be built-in with different Apple Podcasts options, like customized suggestions and editorial curation on the New tab and Class pages, simply as audio podcasts are.
HLS additionally brings an automated high quality adjustment function, which helps movies play higher whether or not listeners are on Wi-Fi or mobile. Plus, customers will be capable to obtain video episodes for offline viewing. At launch, HLS is supported by Acast, Amazon’s ART19, Triton’s Omny Studio, and SiriusXM, together with SiriusXM Media, AdsWizz, and Simplecast.
Creators will be capable to dynamically insert video advertisements, together with host-read spots, into their podcasts, too. Apple doesn’t cost creators to distribute podcasts, nevertheless it says that, beginning later this yr, taking part advert networks must pay an impression-based charge for the supply of the dynamic advertisements within the HLS movies.
Encrypted RCS messaging
Messaging can be receiving an necessary improve with encrypted Wealthy Communication Providers (RCS), which begins testing in iOS 26.4. Finish-to-end encryption for RCS conversations will in the future assist guarantee messages between iPhone customers and Android customers are simply as safe as iMessage.
At the moment, Apple is barely testing this between iPhones in beta. These conversations shall be labeled as encrypted and can’t be learn whereas despatched between gadgets. The corporate notes that the function shall be launched publicly in a later software program replace for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS, and the beta shouldn’t be accessible for all gadgets and carriers.
Stolen Gadget Detection is on by default
Safety enhancements are one other spotlight of iOS 26.4. Stolen Gadget Safety is now enabled by default, including an additional layer of biometric authentication for delicate actions similar to accessing saved passwords or ensuring account adjustments. By requiring Face ID or Contact ID authentication in additional situations, Apple reduces the chance of unauthorized entry if a tool is stolen and the passcode is compromised.
CarPlay provides in-car video playback
Drivers utilizing Apple CarPlay may also discover adjustments. CarPlay now helps in-car video playback for choose apps — together with the Apple TV app —however solely when the car is parked to make sure security. This enhancement introduces new leisure choices for passengers once they’re stopped or whereas ready within the automotive for a time frame. (Hooray for folks within the pickup line in school!)
Third-party AI providers come to CarPlay
CarPlay for the primary time will supply entry to third-party AI providers like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Anthropic’s Claude.
Audio Zoom in Digicam app
In the meantime, the Digicam app introduces Audio Zoom. When recording video, the microphone focuses on the topic as you zoom in, lowering background noise and enhancing readability. This function makes it simpler to seize speeches, performances, or interviews with out exterior audio gear.
Moreover, the Ambient Music function is now accessible by a widget, letting customers immediately play soundscapes designed for focus, sleep, or rest instantly from the Residence Display screen, as an alternative of simply the Management Middle as earlier than. The function, first introduced in iOS 18.4, added a wide range of ambient sounds to stream throughout classes like Sleep, Chill, Productiveness, and Wellbeing.
“Pressing” reminders
There’s additionally a brand new “Pressing” part within the Reminders app that teams high-priority duties and may set off extra distinguished alerts when deadlines strategy. Setting a reminder as Pressing will add an alarm so that you’re certain to not miss the occasion.
And extra …
A number of different smaller options embrace the next:
- A brand new unified Apple Account Hub within the App Retailer, Apple Music, and different Apple apps replaces the “profile” function that was beforehand used.
- A brand new animation is within the Messages app once you draft a message.
- An updated Wallpaper Gallery separates the totally different classes in a brand new method; an identical design got here to the Apple Watch Face Gallery as nicely. The brand new model consists of sections for Climate, Astronomy, Emjoi, and extra, amongst different adjustments.
- Apple Music allows you to add songs to a number of playlists without delay.
- The Well being app adds a brand new metric: Common Bedtime, which exhibits the typical time you went to mattress over the previous two weeks. The Vitals part was additionally updated to incorporate a blood oxygen degree on the each day graph.
- Freefrom provides a Content material Hub for Creator Studio subscribers, offering entry to new AI options and high-quality artwork. Its icon was up to date, too.
- The Private Hotspot function now includes a Knowledge Utilization part that exhibits how a lot knowledge has been despatched to your system and which Apple and non-Apple gadgets have been utilizing your knowledge.
- Reside Captions provides help for Chinese language (Taiwan) underneath the language choices.
- There’s a brand new “Set Battery Cost Restrict” action in Shortcuts.
- The App Retailer’s Search bar is again on the high of the display screen.
- The hyperlink to iCloud.com will get a bigger, featured part throughout the iCloud part within the Settings app. Earlier than, there was solely a toggle to “Entry iCloud Knowledge on the Net.” Now it’s extra like a giant advert for iCloud.
Notably absent from this launch is a next-generation Siri expertise. Whereas Apple has signaled deeper AI ambitions for its voice assistant, these bigger adjustments don’t seem in iOS 26.4, reportedly delayed as soon as once more.
