Everything New in iOS 26.4 Beta 1
Source: MacRumors
iOS 26.4 Beta Overview
Apple today provided developers with the first beta of an upcoming iOS 26.4 update, which adds a host of new features to the iPhone. Highlights include:
- Video‑podcast support
- Updates to Stolen Device Protection
- End‑to‑end encryption for RCS messages
- An Apple Music tool for generating playlists
- And much more
We’ve rounded up everything we’ve found that’s new in the first beta of iOS 26.4. The beta is limited to developers right now, but Apple should release a public beta in the next couple of weeks. iOS 26.4 is expected to launch this spring.
Playlist Playground
Apple Music now has a Playlist Playground feature that lets users create a playlist from a text‑based prompt.
- In the Apple Music app, tap the option to type an idea and receive automatic song suggestions.
- Apple provides preset prompts such as “morning coffee music,” “hip‑hop party songs,” and “disco songs that defined the 1970s,” but you can enter any idea, mood, or feeling.
- The feature generates a list of 25 songs plus a custom title.
- Playlists can be further refined with additional text prompts, and you can select a cover image and description.
Apple Music
- Concerts Near You – Helps you discover shows in your area and tour dates for artists you follow.
- Redesigned albums and playlists – Full‑page artwork now fills the screen.
Apple Podcasts
iOS 26.4 adds video‑podcast capabilities to the Apple Podcasts app.
- Uses HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) for high‑quality video and “unprecedented control and monetization opportunities” for creators.
- Users can switch between watching and listening, and videos can be downloaded for offline viewing.
- HLS ensures smooth playback on Wi‑Fi or cellular.
- New video episodes integrate with existing Apple Podcasts features (personalized recommendations, editorial suggestions, New and Category sections).
Stolen Device Protection
- Now enabled by default for all iPhone users (previously opt‑in).
- Introduced in 2023 after a theft method that involved spying on a victim’s passcode.
- With Face ID or Touch ID, you can protect features such as the Passwords app, Lost Mode in Find My, Safari purchases, etc.
- Some features are disabled entirely without authentication; others impose a one‑hour security delay.
End‑to‑End RCS Encryption for Messages
- Tested on iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and macOS Tahoe 26.4.
- Apple is working with the GSM Association to bring E2EE to RCS messages, closing the security gap between Android‑to‑iPhone communications.
- Messages that use E2EE display a lock icon in the conversation UI (both for iMessage and RCS).
Messages App
- New animations for actions such as launching a new conversation.
Apple Account Unified Design
- A new unified Apple Account hub replaces the old profile feature in the App Store, Apple Music, and other apps with user settings.
- Functionality remains largely the same, but the design is streamlined.
App Store Changes
- Merges apps and purchase history; dedicated section for app updates (now two taps away).
- Navigation bar no longer has a separate Search button; the search bar appears at the top when tapped.
Ambient Music Widget
- New widget for Home and Lock screens.
- Plays built‑in ambient music options for sleep, productivity, wellbeing, and more.
Wallpaper and Watch Face Gallery
- Wallpaper Gallery: Updated design lets you download wallpapers from categories such as Weather, Astronomy, Emoji, Colors, etc., directly to the iPhone.
- Watch Face Gallery (in the Apple Watch app) receives the same design refresh.
Freeform Creator Studio
- Live in iOS 26.4 for Creator Studio subscribers.
- Adds a dedicated Content Hub with Freeform shape options.
- Subscribers gain access to free, high‑quality graphics, photos, and illustrations, plus AI tools for creating and editing images.
- Apple announced that premium content and features for Freeform will roll out to Creator Studio later this year.
- Freeform also receives a new app icon.
Reminders
- New Urgent section.
- When “Urgent” is toggled on during creation, the reminder appears here with an accompanying alarm to ensure a clear warning when it’s due.
iCloud Web Settings
(Section placeholder – details to be added when available.)
iCloud Settings Update
In the Settings app’s iCloud section, a new “iCloud.com” option appears at the very bottom of the interface. It replaces the former “Access iCloud Data on the Web” toggle.
- A new “Allow Search” toggle lets trusted Apple devices provide search results to iCloud.com.
New Emoji (Coming Soon)
There are no new emoji in iOS 26.4, but the code hints at future additions. References to new emoji suggest several characters will appear in a later beta.
Potential new emoji include:
- Trombone
- Treasure chest
- Distorted face
- Hairy creature (Bigfoot/Sasquatch)
- Fight cloud
- Apple core
- Orca
- Landslide
- Ballet dancers
Notification Forwarding for Third‑Party Devices (EU)
- In the iOS 26.3 beta, Apple tested a “Notification Forwarding” setting that could forward incoming iPhone notifications to a third‑party wearable (e.g., an Android smartwatch).
- The feature was omitted from the launch version but returns in the iOS 26.4 beta.
- Limitations:
- Only one third‑party device can receive forwarded notifications at a time.
- If enabled for a third‑party wearable, the Apple Watch will not receive notifications.
Apple introduced this feature to address antitrust concerns that third‑party wearables should have the same notification access as the Apple Watch. It is currently limited to the European Union.
Proximity Pairing – EU Only
- Also tested in the iOS 26.3 beta (and shared with the European Commission) is Proximity Pairing for third‑party wearables.
- This feature was not enabled on iPad in iOS 26.3 and may arrive in iOS 26.4.
This article, “Everything New in iOS 26.4 Beta 1,” first appeared on MacRumors.com. Discuss this article in our forums.