iOS 26.4 beta 2: Here’s what’s new

Source: 9to5Mac

One week after the release of the first beta, iOS 26.4 beta 2 is now available. The update continues to refine new features and changes for iPhone users, including updates to RCS encryption, the Games app, and more.

iOS 26.4 beta 2 details

iOS 26.4 beta 2 is currently available for developer beta testing. A public beta will likely be released later this week. The build number for the update is 23E5218e.

As we covered extensively last week, iOS 26.4 includes more than 40 changes for your iPhone. There are new features for Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, and much more.

iOS 26.4 beta 2: What’s new?

RCS encryption

Last week’s release of iOS 26.4 added support for testing RCS encryption, but only for iPhone‑to‑iPhone communication. With iOS 26.4 beta 2, Apple has expanded testing to include messaging between iPhone and Android devices.

Apple states:

In this beta, RCS end‑to‑end encryption will become available for testing between Apple and Android devices. This feature is not shipping in this release and will be available to customers in future iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS 26 releases. End‑to‑end encryption is in beta and is not available for all devices or carriers. Conversations labeled as encrypted are encrypted end‑to‑end, so messages can’t be read while they’re sent between devices.

Reduce Highlighting Effects

In the Accessibility menu under Settings → Display & Text Size, Apple has added a new toggle: Reduce Highlighting Effects. This reduces the visual effects around the edges of buttons and sliders.

Games app

In iOS 26.4 beta 1, the App Store UI was updated to move the Search bar back to the top of the Search tab and integrate the Search tab into the bottom navigation bar. iOS 26.4 beta 2 applies the same change to the Games app.

More small UI tweaks

• When your iPhone is in Dark Mode, menu pop‑ups in Control Center now appear with a dark background.
• Small changes to the Account Hub interface in the App Store, as noted by Aaron Perris.

Wrap up

We’ll continue updating this story as we uncover more new features in iOS 26.4 beta 2.