iOS 18.4 Beta: A Sneak Peek at What’s Coming to Your iPhone

Introduction: Apple’s Latest Beta Release

Apple has just rolled out the first public beta of iOS 18.4, giving developers and testers an early look at what’s in store for iPhone users. This update comes over a month after iOS 18.3, which focused on fixing bugs and improving performance. Now, iOS 18.4 is here with some exciting new features, and I can’t wait to dive into what it offers. But remember, this is a beta release, so it’s best to try it out on a secondary device. Beta versions can be buggy, and you don’t want to risk your primary phone acting up.

One thing to keep in mind is that this beta is just a preview. The full version of iOS 18.4 is set to launch in April, although we don’t have an exact date yet. Apple has promised that there might be even more features added before the official release, so what we’re seeing now is just the beginning. For now, only those with iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max, or iPhone 16 models can access Apple Intelligence features. If you’ve got another iPhone, you’ll have to wait until the final release to see what all the fuss is about.

Priority Notifications: A Smarter Way to Stay in the Loop

One of the standout features in the iOS 18.4 beta is Priority Notifications. If your iPhone supports Apple Intelligence, you’ll love this new addition. Apple Intelligence is designed to make your notifications smarter. It sorts your alerts into important and less important categories, so you can see what needs your attention right away. This feature is optional and off by default, but you can easily turn it on by going to Settings > Notifications > Prioritize Notifications and flipping the toggle.

What’s really cool about Priority Notifications is how it organizes your alerts. Apple Intelligence scans your notifications and separates the ones it thinks are most important into a dedicated section on your Lock Screen. You can still swipe up to see all your notifications if you want, but this feature helps you avoid missing something urgent. It’s like having a personal assistant for your notifications.

Sketch Mode in Image Playground: Unleash Your Creativity

If you’re into generative art, you’ll be excited about the Sketch mode in Image Playground. Image Playground is Apple’s AI-powered image generator, and with iOS 18.4, it’s getting a fresh new art style. While we already had Animation and Illustration modes, Sketch brings a unique, hand-drawn feel to your generated images. The result looks like something you’d pull out of a sketchbook—vibrant, colorful, and a bit imperfect.

It’s worth noting that Sketch mode isn’t perfect yet. Like any AI tool, there are some quirks and inconsistencies in the images it produces. But hey, that’s part of its charm. If you’re someone who loves experimenting with art or just wants to have fun with AI, Sketch mode is a great addition to Image Playground.

Ambient Music in Control Center: Music at Your Fingertips

Background music lovers, rejoice! iOS 18.4 brings Ambient Music controls to your Control Center. Whether you’re working, relaxing, or trying to fall asleep, you’ll now have easy access to ambient tracks. To set it up, open your Control Center, add the Ambient Music controls, and choose from options like Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing.

The best part? You can customize these controls to play the playlists you love. For example, if you’re in the mood for lo-fi beats while you work, you can set the Productivity control to play your go-to lo-fi playlist. And if you’re feeling stressed, the Wellbeing control can pull up calming ambient sounds. It’s a thoughtful feature that makes it easier to set the right vibe for any moment.

This addition feels like Apple’s way of making your iPhone your go-to device for music and relaxation. It’s also a clever move to compete with services like Spotify and YouTube, which are known for their mood-based playlists. Why switch apps when your iPhone can handle it all?

Apple News+ Gets arecipe Makeover

If you’re a subscriber to Apple News+, you’re in for a treat. The iOS 18.4 beta introduces a new Food section, packed with recipes from top publications like Food & Wine and Good Food. You can save these recipes to your device for offline access, which is perfect for those times when you’re cooking without Wi-Fi.

What really shines here is the Cook Mode. When you’re following a recipe, Cook Mode takes over your screen, displaying the instructions in a distraction-free layout. No more squinting at tiny text or scrolling through ads. It’s a small but meaningful upgrade that makes Apple News+ feel more valuable.

This move seems like Apple’s attempt to take on other recipe platforms, like The New York Times Cooking. While the Times charges extra for its recipe section, Apple is including all these features in the standard News+ subscription. For home cooks, this could be a major selling point.

More Default Apps and Podcasts Tweaks

iOS 18.4 is also expanding your ability to customize your iPhone experience. With the beta, you can now change more default apps, including Translation and Navigation (for EU users). For instance, if you prefer Google Translate over Apple Translate, you can set it as your default app. It’s a small change, but it gives users more flexibility.

The Podcasts app is also getting some attention. You now have more options for customizing your home screen widgets. You can choose between a Shows widget, which plays episodes from a specific podcast, or a Library widget, which pulls from your curated list of episodes. While there are also new Podcasts Settings and Notification Settings, they don’t do much yet. Hopefully, Apple will add more functionality before the official release.

Siri and Apple Intelligence: Smarter Than Ever

If you’re using an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone, you’ll notice some improvements in Siri. The virtual assistant can now help you navigate first-party apps like Messages, Mail, and Settings. For example, if you’re in the Phone app, you can ask Siri, “What can I do in Phone?” and it’ll show you options like making a call or starting a FaceTime conversation. It’s a handy feature that makes Siri feel more integrated into your iPhone experience.

And the best news? Apple Intelligence is about to become more accessible. With iOS 18.4, it will support more languages, including Spanish, French, and Japanese. Plus, users in the EU will finally get access to Apple Intelligence for the first time. This expansion is a big deal, as it means more people around the world can enjoy these advanced AI features.

Wrapping It Up: What’s Next for iOS 18.4?

iOS 18.4 is shaping up to be a solid update, with plenty of features designed to make your iPhone more intuitive, creative, and enjoyable. While the beta is just a preview, it’s already giving us a lot to look forward to. From smarter notifications to ambient music and recipe recommendations, Apple is clearly focused on enhancing the little things that make a big difference in your daily experience.

If you’re thinking about trying the beta, just remember to use a secondary device. And if the beta isn’t your thing, mark your calendar for April, when iOS 18.4 will officially drop. Trust us, it’ll be worth the wait.