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Apple is back with another update! The fourth public beta of iOS 18.4 was released on March 18, nearly two months after iOS 18.3 went live. While the previous update focused on important bug fixes, this beta introduces a fresh set of features for developers and public beta testers—including brand-new emoji and a dedicated recipes section in Apple News.
Source: CNET
A Word of Caution for Beta Testers
Since this is a beta version, it’s best to install it on a secondary device. Beta versions can be buggy, causing performance issues like battery drain and app crashes. The official iOS 18.4 update is expected to roll out in April, but an exact release date hasn’t been confirmed yet.
If you’re eager to try these features before the full release, here’s what’s coming your way!
New Emoji Are Here!
One of the most exciting parts of iOS 18.4 is the new set of emoji. My favorite? The tired face emoji—with those weary eyes and under-eye bags, it’s super relatable.
Here’s the complete list of new emoji available in the beta:
- Face with bags under eyes
- Fingerprint
- Splatter
- Root vegetable
- Leafless tree
- Harp
- Shovel
- Flag of Sark
These emoji were first introduced by Unicode 16.0 back in September, and it looks like Apple is finally rolling them out. If you’re using an Android device, expect to see them soon as well.
Priority Notifications with Apple Intelligence
If you have an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone (iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max, or iPhone 16 lineup), iOS 18.4 beta introduces Priority Notifications. This feature helps you stay on top of important alerts by grouping them in a separate section on the Lock Screen.
To enable it:
- Go to Settings > Notifications
- Tap Prioritize Notifications
- Toggle it on and select which apps should have priority
Now, you can focus on essential notifications—like Messages and Mail—without getting distracted by game invites or random app updates.
Apple Intelligence Expands in Control Center
Apple is making AI-powered features more accessible with iOS 18.4. Now, you can access Apple Intelligence controls right from the Control Center.
Here’s how to add them:
- Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center.
- Tap the + (plus) sign in the top-left corner.
- Look for the new section labeled Apple Intelligence & Siri.
- Add controls like Talk to Siri, Type to Siri, and Visual Intelligence.
You can also assign Visual Intelligence to your Action Button for quick access.
Sketch Mode in Image Playground
Apple’s Image Playground (its AI-powered image generator) now includes a brand-new Sketch mode. This feature creates colored images that look like hand-drawn sketches—perfect for those who love an artistic touch.
Previously, Image Playground offered:
- Animation: 3D-style images
- Illustration: Cartoony graphics
With Sketch mode, Apple is pushing creative tools even further, though some images still have rough edges.
Ambient Music Controls in Control Center
For those who love background music, iOS 18.4 beta makes it easier to access ambient sound options in Control Center.
To enable:
- Swipe down to open Control Center.
- Tap + (plus) sign and select Ambient Music.
- Choose from four categories: Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing.
- Customize playlists for each mode, including options like Laidback Lo-Fi, Mellow Piano, and Ambient Unwind.
This feature feels like Apple’s way of competing with Spotify and YouTube for ambient sound users.
Preauthorized Payments in Wallet
Managing subscriptions and payment plans just got easier. The Wallet app now includes a Preauthorized Payments menu, letting you view and manage all your active payments in one place.
To access:
- Open Wallet.
- Tap the three dots (…) in the upper-right corner.
- Select Preauthorized Payments.
This could help users track and cancel forgotten subscriptions, saving money in the process.
Apple News Adds a Recipes Section
Apple News Plus ($13/month) is introducing a new Food section featuring recipes from top publications like Food & Wine and Good Food.
Key features include:
- Offline access to saved recipes
- Cook mode for fullscreen, step-by-step instructions
- Restaurant and healthy eating guides
Unlike The New York Times Cooking, which requires an additional $6/month, Apple includes this feature at no extra cost.
Vision Pro Gets a Dedicated App
If you own an Apple Vision Pro headset, iOS 18.4 beta introduces a Vision Pro app for managing visionOS features, exploring spatial experiences, and discovering compatible apps.
Even if you don’t have a Vision Pro, you can still download the app—but you won’t be able to do much with it.
More Default App Options
Apple is slowly allowing users to change more default apps on their iPhones. In iOS 18.4 beta:
- Users worldwide can set a default translation app (Google Translate, for example, instead of Apple Translate).
- EU users can change their default navigation app from Apple Maps to another option like Waze.
This is part of Apple’s compliance with new regulations in the European Union.
New Podcast Features
The Podcasts app is also getting an upgrade! iOS 18.4 beta adds new widget options for:
- Shows: Play episodes from a specific podcast.
- Library: Play episodes from a curated list.
Plus, the Podcasts settings menu has been reworked, making it easier to customize notifications and playback preferences.
iOS 18.4 beta packs a lot of exciting changes, from new emoji and AI-powered notifications to enhanced ambient music controls and Vision Pro integration.
If you’re a developer or beta tester, you can try these features now. For everyone else, expect the official iOS 18.4 release in April—and who knows, Apple might add even more features before then!
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