iOS 18.4 Beta 1 : Apple has officially rolled out iOS 18.4 Beta 1 to developers, bringing a fresh batch of updates and features to iPhones. While some of the highly anticipated Apple Intelligence features are still missing, this beta introduces enhancements across notifications, music, Apple News+, Siri, and more. Let’s dive into all the new changes coming with iOS 18.4 Beta 1.
Table of Contents
iOS 18.4 Beta 1: Everything New in iOS 18.4 Beta 1: Features, Updates, and Changes
1. Priority Notifications with Apple Intelligence
Apple is introducing a new Priority Notifications feature, designed to highlight important notifications at the top of the lock screen. This feature is powered by Apple Intelligence and can be enabled by navigating to Settings > Notifications > Prioritize Notifications.
2. New Image Playground Sketch Style
The Image Playground app now includes a Sketch style, joining the existing Animation and Illustration styles. Previously, the Sketch style was exclusive to Image Wand, but it can now be used in Image Playground. Users can swap between styles by tapping the “+” button.
Additionally, Apple has replaced the Winter Holidays theme with a new Spring theme.
3. Apple News+ Food Section
For Apple News+ subscribers, iOS 18.4 introduces a dedicated Food section, featuring:
- Tens of thousands of recipes from top food publishers
- Stories about restaurants, healthy eating, and kitchen essentials
- A Recipe Catalog with step-by-step instructions
- The ability to save recipes for offline access
This section curates content from sources like Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Good Food, Serious Eats, and more.
4. Apple Intelligence Now Supports More Languages
Apple Intelligence expands its language support in iOS 18.4 Beta 1, adding:
- French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (Simplified)
- Localized English for Singapore and India
5. Ambient Music in Control Center
A new Ambient Music feature is now available in Control Center, offering four different sound categories:
- Sleep
- Chill
- Productivity
- Wellbeing
Each category plays curated ambient music and sounds, which can be adjusted via Dynamic Island or the Now Playing widget.
6. iPadOS 18.4 Brings Mail Categorization
iPad users now get an upgraded Mail app that automatically sorts emails into categories:
- Primary: Important personal emails
- Promotions: Marketing emails and coupons
- Transactions: Order confirmations and receipts
- Updates: Social media and newsletters
This feature first debuted on iPhones with iOS 18.2.
7. Enhanced Privacy Indication Dots
The small orange and green dots that appear when the camera or microphone is in use have been moved to the left of the screen and now have a black background, making them more noticeable.
8. Two New Australian Siri Voices
Siri now includes two additional Australian voices, expanding the range of voice options available for users.
9. Genmoji Keyboard Changes
The Genmoji button in the Emoji keyboard has been updated:
- Now labeled “Genmoji” instead of showing a multi-colored smiley face
- A new popup introduces users to the Genmoji feature upon first use
10. Apple Maps Preferred Language Option
Users can now set a Preferred Language for Apple Maps within the Settings app.
11. New Podcast Widgets
Apple has added two new Podcast widgets:
- Library Widget: Displays saved podcasts
- Shows Widget: Highlights podcasts you follow
The Podcasts app also features new Settings and Notification options under the profile picture menu.
12. Cellular Control Center Toggle Update
The Cellular toggle in Control Center now shows the cellular signal strength in bars, making it easier to check connectivity.
13. Shortcuts App Gets New Actions
Users can now automate tasks with two new Shortcuts actions:
- Open a specific conversation in the Messages app
- Send a message to a selected contact
14. CarPlay Interface Update
Some CarPlay users will now see a third row of app icons on their CarPlay Home Screen, rather than the previous two-row layout.
15. New Default App Options
- Users can now set a different translation app as the default in Settings > Default Apps.
- In the EU, users can now choose a different Navigation app as the default.
16. Smoother Notification Center Animation
Apple has improved the animation when swiping out of Notification Center, making it smoother and more fluid.
17. Wi-Fi Calling Issue for US Cellular Users
Apple notes that Wi-Fi Calling might not work for US Cellular customers in iOS 18.4 Beta 1. Users experiencing issues should revert to iOS 18.3.
18. Japan’s ‘My Number Card’ Support in Apple Wallet
Japanese users can now add their My Number Card (Digital ID) to the Apple Wallet app. Over 100 million Japanese residents use My Number Cards.
19. Mobile Device Management (MDM) Updates
For enterprise and education users, MDM settings now allow IT admins to:
- Disable Apple Intelligence reports
- Restrict Safari Summarization and Mail Smart Replies
- Prevent modifications to default calling/messaging apps
- Enable Idle Reboot for automatic restarts
20. Vision Pro App and Guest Setup
Apple is preparing to launch a Vision Pro app for iOS, which will:
- Help users manage their Vision Pro headset
- Provide tools for downloading visionOS apps and updates
- Offer a Guest Mode, letting users control what apps a guest can access
The Vision Pro app will roll out in a future iOS 18.4 beta.
21. New Emojis Coming Soon
While no new emojis are included in this beta, iOS 18.4 code confirms that a future update will introduce new emojis such as:
- Bags under eyes
- Fingerprint
- Leafless tree
- Root vegetable
- Harp
- Shovel
- Splatter
iOS 18.4 Beta 1 Release Date and Public Rollout
- The developer beta is available now.
- A public beta is expected in the coming weeks.
- The final release of iOS 18.4 is planned for April 2025.
While iOS 18.4 Beta 1 doesn’t include major Apple Intelligence updates, it still brings plenty of useful enhancements. From Priority Notifications to Apple News+ Food, Ambient Music, and Vision Pro integrations, this update is packed with features that enhance the iPhone experience.
FAQs
When will iOS 18.4 be released?
The final release is expected in April 2025
How can I install iOS 18.4 Beta 1?
It is available to developers now, with a public beta coming soon.
