Apple dropped iOS 26.4 developer beta 4 yesterday, pushing the update one step closer to its public release. With four betas now in the books, the final version of iOS 26.4 is expected to go live sometime in late March 2026. Based on everything Apple has tested across all four beta builds, this is shaping up to be one of the biggest mid-cycle iPhone updates in recent years.
Here is a complete breakdown of every confirmed new feature in iOS 26.4, what has changed in beta 4 specifically, and when you can expect the update on your device.
When Will iOS 26.4 Come Out?
Apple is consistent with its March update history. iOS 18.4 launched on March 31, 2025, iOS 17.4 arrived on March 5, 2024, and iOS 16.4 shipped on March 27, 2023. Based on that pattern and the current beta schedule, iOS 26.4 is expected to arrive in late March 2026 — likely the final week of the month.
Beta 4 dropping on March 9 suggests the update is nearly ready. If Apple follows its standard release candidate timeline, an RC build could arrive as early as next week, with the public launch shortly after.
What Is New in iOS 26.4 Beta 4
Beta 4 is primarily a stability and bug-fix release, which is typical for a fourth beta. A few notable changes have been spotted, however.
The update removes RCS end-to-end encryption from this build. Apple had been testing encrypted RCS messaging in earlier betas, but the company confirmed that this feature will not ship with the initial iOS 26.4 public release — it will come in a future update. A new “Reduce Bright Effects” setting has also been added, letting users disable flashing or animated elements within the Liquid Glass UI that was introduced in iOS 26.
The beta also adds compatibility for the newly launched iPhone 17e, making it the first iOS 26.4 build that can be installed on that device.
See Also: New Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini Are Ready — But Siri Is Still Holding Them Back
All the New Features Coming in iOS 26.4
Apple Music Gets a Major Refresh
Apple Music is the biggest focus of iOS 26.4, with five separate updates coming to the app.
The album and playlist views have been redesigned with a full-screen artwork layout that puts cover art front and center while simplifying navigation. A redesigned Profile section makes it easier to manage your account, subscriptions, and playlists in one place.
The most talked-about addition is Playlist Playground, a new AI-powered feature that lets you generate a playlist simply by typing a text description. You might type something like “upbeat 90s pop for a road trip” and Playlist Playground builds a custom list using Apple Intelligence. This is one of the more practical AI features Apple has shipped so far.
A new Concerts Near You section pulls upcoming live show information and tour dates for artists you already listen to or have saved in your library. A new home screen widget for Ambient Music lets you start playing mood-based playlists — Sleep, Focus, Relaxation, and more — directly from the home screen without opening the app.
RCS End-to-End Encryption (Coming Later)
Apple began testing encrypted RCS messages in iOS 26.4 beta 1. The feature would secure messages sent between iPhone users and Android users via RCS, extending the same end-to-end encryption iPhone users already enjoy in iMessage to cross-platform conversations.
As noted above, beta 4 removed this feature from the current build. Apple has confirmed it is still coming, but it will ship in a future iOS update rather than 26.4.
Apple Podcasts Gains a Better Video Experience
iOS 26.4 introduces a significantly upgraded video podcast experience in the Apple Podcasts app. The update uses HTTP Live Streaming technology to let users switch seamlessly between watching and listening to a podcast without interruption. Downloading video episodes for offline viewing is also now supported.
Stolen Device Protection Is Now On by Default
Stolen Device Protection, which Apple introduced in iOS 17, has been enhanced and is now enabled by default in iOS 26.4. The feature adds a one-hour security delay to sensitive actions such as changing your Apple ID password, turning off Find My, and more, when your iPhone detects it is away from your usual locations like home or work. Previously, users had to turn it on manually.
New Urgent Tasks Smart List in Reminders
The Reminders app gains a new Smart List dedicated to Urgent tasks. Building on the Urgent flag introduced in iOS 26.2, the new smart list automatically collects all tasks marked as urgent in one dedicated view, making it easier to see what needs your attention most.
CarPlay Gets AI Chatbot and Video Support
CarPlay is receiving support for AI chatbot apps in iOS 26.4, opening up the in-car interface to apps like ChatGPT and others. Video playback support is also seeing progress in this update, though full availability may roll out gradually.
Health App Updates
The Health app will show rolling 14-day averages for key metrics including average bedtime and blood oxygen levels. This allows users to spot trends or unusual patterns over time rather than looking at single-day data in isolation.
Wallpaper Gallery Redesign
The wallpaper section in Settings has been redesigned with a cleaner grid layout. Some wallpapers are no longer pre-installed and will instead download on demand when selected, saving storage space on devices.
New Emojis Are Coming
iOS 26.4 adds a new batch of emojis as confirmed in beta 4. Apple has not provided a full list yet, but the additions are part of the Unicode standard update being implemented across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS in this release.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will iOS 26.4 be released publicly?
Based on Apple’s consistent history with March iOS updates, iOS 26.4 is expected to release publicly in late March 2026, likely around March 25 to March 31.
What are the biggest new features in iOS 26.4?
The biggest new additions are the Apple Music redesign and Playlist Playground AI feature, the upgraded video podcast experience in Apple Podcasts, Stolen Device Protection being on by default, and new CarPlay capabilities for AI chatbot apps.
Will iOS 26.4 include the new Siri?
No. The upgraded Apple Intelligence version of Siri has been pushed back to iOS 27, expected in September 2026 alongside iPhone 18 Pro. iOS 26.4 does not include any new Siri features.
Is RCS end-to-end encryption coming to iOS 26.4?
Apple tested RCS end-to-end encryption in earlier betas but removed it from beta 4. The company confirmed it is still coming, but will arrive in a future update after iOS 26.4 ships.
Can I install iOS 26.4 beta 4 right now?
Developer beta 4 is available to registered Apple developers via the Software Update section in Settings. A public beta version is also available through Apple’s public beta program at beta.apple.com.
What to Expect Next
With four betas out and the update looking stable, a Release Candidate build is likely just days away, with the public launch to follow shortly after. Once iOS 26.4 ships, the focus shifts to iOS 26.5 — where Apple is hoping to deliver at least some early new Siri features before iOS 27 arrives in the fall.
If you are running the developer or public beta, beta 4 is worth installing now for the stability improvements alone.
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