Apple’s latest iOS 18.4 update may not bring the much-anticipated Siri enhancements just yet, but it still packs some powerful Apple Intelligence features that are worth the wait. Set to launch in early April, this update refines how notifications work, expands AI-generated image options, and adds multilingual support. Here’s everything you need to know about the latest Apple Intelligence features coming in iOS 18.4.
Table of Contents
What is Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence, first introduced in iOS 18, represents Apple’s foray into AI-driven enhancements aimed at improving user experience. This technology leverages machine learning, contextual understanding, and advanced analytics to optimize device functionality. Unlike traditional AI implementations, Apple Intelligence prioritizes on-device processing for security and speed, ensuring users get intelligent suggestions, improved automation, and better personalization without compromising privacy.
With iOS 18.4, Apple continues to refine these AI-driven features, making everyday interactions more intuitive and seamless. The latest update focuses on improving notification management, expanding creative AI tools, and broadening language support.
1. Priority Notifications: Never Miss What Matters
One of the standout features in iOS 18.4 is Priority Notifications, which ensures that important alerts aren’t lost in a flood of messages. Initially announced at WWDC 2024, this feature uses Apple Intelligence to analyze notifications based on context and urgency, ensuring that time-sensitive information remains visible at the top of the Lock Screen.
How Priority Notifications Work
Apple Intelligence evaluates various factors, including:
- Urgency: Time-sensitive notifications (e.g., food delivery status updates, urgent calendar reminders) are given top priority.
- Context: Apple’s AI determines what’s most relevant based on your activity and schedule.
- User Behavior: The system adapts over time, learning which notifications you frequently engage with and prioritizing them accordingly.
How to Enable Priority Notifications
To activate Priority Notifications:
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Navigate to Notifications.
- Tap Prioritize Notifications and toggle it on.
Once enabled, priority alerts appear at the top of the notification stack in a separate box with a distinct icon. Other notifications remain accessible with a simple swipe.
This feature is a game-changer for users who often miss important messages due to notification overload, making it an essential upgrade for productivity and convenience.
2. Image Playground Gets a New “Sketch” Style
Apple’s Image Playground app, launched with iOS 18, allows users to generate AI-powered images in different artistic styles. Initially, the app offered Animation and Illustration styles, but with iOS 18.4, Apple is adding a third option: Sketch.
Exploring the Image Playground Styles
- Sketch Style: This new addition mimics hand-drawn artwork with fine details and textured line work. It’s ideal for those who appreciate a more classic, academic, or artistic aesthetic.
- Illustration Style: Known for its bold colors and strong outlines, this style produces clean, cartoon-like images.
- Animation Style: Designed for a more playful look, this style generates whimsical 3D cartoon-like visuals, similar to animated films.
How to Use Image Playground
- Open the Image Playground app.
- Select the style you prefer (Sketch, Illustration, or Animation).
- Input a text prompt or choose from suggested themes.
- The app will generate an AI-created image in your chosen style.
Apple’s expansion of Image Playground shows the company’s commitment to AI-driven creativity. Whether you want to create custom avatars, concept sketches, or stylized illustrations, these tools make AI-powered image generation more accessible than ever.
3. Expanded Language Support
One of the most significant updates in iOS 18.4 is the expansion of Apple Intelligence’s language capabilities. This means Apple’s AI features, including voice recognition, text predictions, and automated suggestions, are now available in more languages.
Newly Supported Languages
Apple has added support for:
- French
- German
- Italian
- Portuguese (Brazil)
- Spanish
- Japanese
- Korean
- Simplified Chinese
Additionally, Apple has introduced localized English support for users in Singapore and India, optimizing features like Siri’s voice recognition and text predictions to better understand regional accents and dialects.
This update makes iOS 18.4 more inclusive and user-friendly, especially for international users who rely on Apple’s AI-driven tools for communication and productivity.
4. What’s Next for Siri?
Apple Intelligence was expected to bring significant updates to Siri in iOS 18.4, but Apple has decided to hold off on these enhancements for now. While some had hoped for AI-powered contextual awareness and enhanced natural language processing, these improvements are now likely to debut in iOS 18.5 or later.
Why the Delay?
- More Testing Needed: Apple aims to refine AI-powered Siri features to ensure seamless integration and accuracy before release.
- Gradual Rollout Strategy: Apple has been slowly introducing AI-driven features to ensure quality and avoid performance issues.
- Focus on Stability: Prioritizing a stable and polished release over rushing unfinished features.
Although it’s disappointing that we won’t see these upgrades in iOS 18.4, Apple’s approach suggests a major Siri revamp is still on the horizon.
5. iOS 18.4 Release Timeline
Apple has already released the first beta of iOS 18.4 to developers and public testers, with additional beta versions expected throughout March. The official release is planned for early April 2025.
Key Dates to Watch
- Beta 1: Released in February 2025
- Beta 2: Expected in early March 2025
- Final Release: Early April 2025
Users eager to try out the new features can join Apple’s Beta Software Program, but as always, beta versions may contain bugs or performance issues.
Final Thoughts: Is iOS 18.4 Worth the Upgrade?
While iOS 18.4 may not introduce groundbreaking Siri changes, it still brings valuable enhancements to Apple Intelligence. Priority Notifications help manage important alerts more effectively, Image Playground’s Sketch style expands creative possibilities, and new language support makes AI features more accessible worldwide.
For users who value better notification management, creative tools, and multilingual support, this update is definitely worth installing. And with Apple steadily rolling out AI-driven improvements, we can expect even more powerful features in the coming months.
