Apple Announces iOS 26.4 Release with Exciting Features

Apple has unveiled the first iOS 26.4 Release Candidate (RC) build, showcasing 13 new enhancements that will soon be available on your iPhone. This signals the imminent public release of iOS 26.4, with iOS 26.5 featuring Gemini-powered Siri and Apple Intelligence following in the beta cycle. Apple has also provided detailed release notes outlining what users can expect from iOS 26.4.

iOS 26.4 Release Notes

Here are the official release notes for iOS 26.4, highlighting the 13 enhancements:

The update introduces Playlist Playground and Concerts in Apple Music, along with 8 new emojis and other valuable features, bug fixes, and security updates for your iPhone.

Apple Music

• Playlist Playground (beta) creates playlists based on your description, complete with a title, description, and tracklist.
• Concerts feature helps you discover nearby shows from artists in your library and suggests new artists based on your listening habits.
• Offline Music Recognition in Control Center identifies songs without an internet connection and automatically delivers results once you’re back online.
• Ambient Music widget for Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing brings curated playlists to your Home Screen.
• Full-screen backgrounds enhance the immersive look of album and playlist pages.

Accessibility

• Reduce bright effects setting minimizes bright flashes when interacting with elements like buttons.
• Subtitle and caption settings are easily accessible from the captions icon while viewing media, simplifying customization and previewing.
• Reduce Motion setting now more effectively reduces animations for users sensitive to screen motion.

This update also includes:

• 8 new emojis, including an orca, trombone, landslide, ballet dancer, and distorted face, added to the emoji keyboard.
• Freeform gains advanced image creation and editing tools, along with a premium content library, joining Apple Creator Studio.
• Mark reminders as urgent from the Quick Toolbar or by touch and hold, and filter for urgent reminders in your Smart Lists.
• Purchase Sharing allows adult members in Family Sharing groups to use their payment method for purchases without relying on the family organizer.
• Improved keyboard accuracy for fast typing.

iOS 26.4 is now available as a release candidate build for beta testers, with the official release expected next week. Stay tuned for 9to5Mac’s comprehensive coverage of iOS 26.4 features.