Apple has released the first beta of iOS 26.4.
Apple Releases First Beta of iOS 26.4
Just a couple of weeks after the stable release of iOS 26.3, Apple has begun distributing the first beta version of iOS 26.4. The update is an incremental one: users won't see sweeping changes, but a number of important technical improvements have been introduced.
One of the most anticipated innovations was supposed to be the launch of a "smart" Siri based on Google Gemini technologies. However, Apple decided not to rush a large-scale AI update for the voice assistant, distributing the new features across subsequent updates instead. Nevertheless, developers have focused on security and media services.
A key change concerns messaging: the operating system now supports end-to-end encryption for RCS messages. However, at this stage, the technology only works in iPhone-to-iPhone communication, essentially mirroring iMessage's protection. Despite the limited implementation, this is a significant step: the RCS standard was originally conceived for cross-platform communication with Android devices.
The Apple Podcasts app has improved its handling of video podcasts. The player can now smoothly switch between video and audio formats, as well as adapt image quality based on internet connection speed thanks to HTTP Live Streaming technology.
Apple Music also received updates. In addition to support for full-screen album covers, the service introduced the Playlist Playground feature—part of the Apple Intelligence ecosystem. It allows users to create playlists based on a text description, opening up new possibilities for personalizing the music experience.
Protection against device theft has been significantly enhanced. The Stolen Device Protection feature now activates automatically. While previously users had to manually enable this option, the system now more strictly requires biometric authentication in "non-home" locations and introduces delays when attempting to change critical settings.
The Reminders app has gained a "smart" filter that highlights urgent tasks, making them more noticeable to the user.
Mac owners will also find interesting new features in the update. The main one is the ability to manually limit the battery charge level of laptops within the range of 80–100%. This feature, long available on the iPhone, helps extend battery lifespan.
However, there is also less welcome news. The system has begun notifying users about the impending end of support for Rosetta 2. This technology allowed running applications built for Intel processors on devices with Apple Silicon chips. Judging by messages in macOS 28, its support may be completely discontinued.
The exact release date for the public version of iOS 26.4 has not yet been announced. Typically, Apple tests beta versions for one to two months. Given this, the final release will likely occur closer to the end of spring 2026.