iOS 26.4 beta 1: Here are the new iPhone features
Source: 9to5Mac
## iOS 26.4 Beta 1 Now Available
[iOS 26.4 Beta 1](https://9to5mac.com/2026/02/16/apple-releases-ios-26-4-beta-1-for-iphone/) is now available for developers.
The update brings a host of new features and changes for iPhone users, including updates to:
- Music app
- Messages
- Apple Podcasts
…and many more. Scroll down for a full roundup of everything new in iOS 26.4 Beta 1. Table of Contents
- iOS 26.4 beta details
- What’s new in iOS 26.4 beta 1?
- Messages
- Apple Podcasts
- Apple Music
- Playlist Playground
- Wallpaper gallery
- Reminders
- New Home Screen widget
- Stolen Device Protection
- App Store
- More changes
- Wrap up
iOS 26.4 Beta Details
- Version: iOS 26.4 (beta)
- Build number:
23E5207q - Availability: Currently available for developer beta testers.
How to update
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Select Software Update and follow the prompts.
A public beta is expected to be released within the next several weeks.
What’s New in iOS 26.4 Beta 1
Messages
Apple added support for testing end‑to‑end encrypted RCS messaging in iOS 26.4 beta 1.
Currently this works only for iPhone‑to‑iPhone communication and is intended for RCS testing.
Read more: iOS 26.4 beta adds support for testing end‑to‑end encrypted RCS messaging
Apple Podcasts
iOS 26.4 upgrades the Podcasts app with advanced video‑podcast capabilities:
- Seamless switching between video and audio playback.
- HLS‑based automatic quality adjustment based on network conditions.
- Support for dynamic video ads.
Read more: Apple Podcasts app gaining ‘enhanced video podcast experience’ in iOS 26.4
Apple Music
Key updates in iOS 26.4:
- Full‑screen album & playlist artwork that “brings your music to life.”
- Concert & tour‑date lookup for artists in your library.
- Redesigned Profile section with quicker access to common tasks (also reflected in the App Store, Podcasts, and Apple TV).
Read more: Apple Music in iOS 26.4 has new design for albums, playlists, and more
Playlist Playground
A new Apple Intelligence feature lets you generate playlists from:
- Free‑form text descriptions.
- Pre‑selected prompts.
Read more: iOS 26.4 beta adds new ‘Playlist Playground’ AI feature for Apple Music
Wallpaper Gallery
The gallery now:
- Separates categories more clearly.
- Offers a cleaner, faster‑responding interface (mirroring the new Apple Watch face gallery).
Read more: iOS 26.4 redesigns Wallpaper Gallery
Reminders
- Smart List – Urgent: automatically aggregates tasks marked as “Urgent.”
- Builds on the Urgent setting introduced in iOS 26.2, which adds an alarm to urgent tasks.
New Home‑Screen Widget
A widget that provides quick access to your ambient‑music playlists in Apple Music.
Stolen Device Protection
- Enabled by default in iOS 26.4.
- Requires biometric authentication when the device is away from trusted locations (home, work).
- Adds a time‑delay second biometric check for certain sensitive actions.
Prior to iOS 26.4, users had to enable this feature manually.
Sources:
App Store
- The Search bar returns to the top of the Search tab.
- The Search tab is now integrated into the bottom navigation bar, removing the floating circle design.
More Changes
-
Shortcuts
- New action for setting your iPhone’s charge limit.
- Actions for removing and adding locations in Weather.
-
iPadOS 26.4
- Re‑introduces the compact tab bar in Safari.
- Details: 9to5Mac article
-
Freeform
- Updated app icon.
- New splash screen promoting Apple Creator Studio.
Wrap Up
We’ll continue updating this story as we uncover more new features in iOS 26.4. If you spot anything new, let us know down in the comments.
My favorite iPhone accessories
- Anker Power Bank with built‑in USB‑C Cable
- Charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods at the same time
- Bring wireless CarPlay to any car
- USB‑C cable with built‑in screen
- The best earbuds for Apple users
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