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Apple Rolls Out Second iOS 18.4 RC Build Ahead of Public Release
Apple has officially released the second iOS 18.4 Release Candidate (RC) build to developers and public beta testers. Alongside this rollout, Apple has also published the full release notes for the update, offering a comprehensive look at what’s new in this version.
The company has confirmed that iOS 18.4 will be available to all users in April, with a likely release as soon as next week. The update will be compatible with all iPhone models that support iOS 18, but some Apple Intelligence features will be limited to select devices.
iOS 18.4 Compatible Devices
The update will be available on the following iPhone models:
- iPhone 16 Series: iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 16e
- iPhone 15 Pro Models: iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
While all these models will receive iOS 18.4, Apple Intelligence features are restricted to the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and all iPhone 16 models.
Key Features and Updates in iOS 18.4
Apple Intelligence
- Priority Notifications: Highlights important alerts at the top of your notifications for better visibility.
- Sketch Mode in Image Playground: A new drawing style to create artistic sketches.
- Expanded Language Support: Now supports eight additional languages and two new English locales, including French (France, Canada), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Simplified Chinese, and Spanish (Spain, Latin America, US).
Apple Vision Pro App
- A dedicated app for Apple Vision Pro users, offering quick access to content, spatial experiences, and device information.
Apple News+ Enhancements
- New Recipe Catalog: Browse and save recipes from top publishers.
- Cooking Mode: Step-by-step guidance for a seamless cooking experience.
- Expanded Food Section: Now includes restaurant reviews, kitchen tips, and healthy eating articles.
Photos App Improvements
– New filters to show/hide certain items.
– Ability to reorder collections.
– Sorting improvements, including sorting by Date Modified.
- Hidden photos are excluded from Mac/PC imports when Face ID protection is enabled.
General Enhancements and Bug Fixes
- Safari: Quick access to previous search topics via recent search suggestions.
- Setup Assistant: Simplified steps for parents setting up Child Accounts.
- Screen Time: App Limits persist even if an app is deleted and reinstalled.
- App Store Improvements: User review summaries and the ability to pause/resume downloads without losing progress.
- New Widgets: Podcast widgets for Followed Shows and Library.
- Ambient Music: Instantly play curated playlists from Control Center.
- Home App Expansion: Matter-compatible robot vacuums can now be added to scenes and automations.
- Apple Fitness+: Collections can now be added to the Library.
- Additional Language Support: Includes Bangla, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
What Undercode Says:
A Closer Look at iOS 18.4’s Impact
Apple’s iOS 18.4 is not just another incremental update—it’s a refinement of the iOS 18 experience with significant enhancements across multiple apps and services. Here’s an analytical breakdown of what this update brings to the table:
1. Apple Intelligence: A Gradual Rollout
Apple Intelligence is still being rolled out selectively, limited to higher-end models like the iPhone 15 Pro and all iPhone 16 variants. This suggests that Apple is fine-tuning its AI-powered features for more capable hardware, likely to ensure optimal performance before expanding support.
2. Vision Pro Integration Signals a Growing Ecosystem
The automatic inclusion of the Apple Vision Pro app for Vision Pro users signals Apple’s increasing focus on spatial computing. This move hints at a long-term strategy to integrate mixed reality into everyday iOS use.
3. Apple News+ Pushes Subscription Value
With the new recipe catalog and food section expansion, Apple is reinforcing Apple News+ as a premium subscription service with more than just news. This follows the trend of bundling diverse content (similar to Apple One), making the subscription model more appealing.
4. Privacy and User Control Enhancements
The ability to sort and hide photos, along with Face ID protection for hidden photos, strengthens Apple’s commitment to user privacy. Additionally, improvements in Screen Time ensure parental controls remain effective even if children try to bypass restrictions.
5. Home Automation Gets More Advanced
Support for Matter-compatible robot vacuums in the Home app signals Apple’s push towards deeper smart home integration. With Matter becoming a standard across multiple brands, iOS users will benefit from broader device compatibility.
6. Safari and App Store Quality-of-Life Improvements
Recent search suggestions in Safari and summarized user reviews in the App Store streamline the browsing and app discovery experience. Apple continues to refine how users interact with content on their devices.
7. Music and Fitness Features for Everyday Use
The new Ambient Music feature allows quick access to curated playlists from Control Center, offering a more immersive experience without opening the Music app. Meanwhile, Apple Fitness+ users can better organize their collections, showing Apple’s focus on integrating health and wellness into its ecosystem.
8. Language Expansion: A Global Approach
Apple’s continued expansion of language support in iOS 18.4 reflects its commitment to catering to a global audience. This move will make the iPhone more accessible to users in diverse linguistic regions, particularly in India, where multiple new languages are now supported.
Final Thoughts
iOS 18.4 may not be a groundbreaking update, but it fine-tunes the iPhone experience in meaningful ways. With a balance of AI-driven intelligence, smart home integration, content enhancements, and user-centric improvements, Apple continues to refine iOS while laying the groundwork for future innovations.
Fact Checker Results:
- Claim: iOS 18.4 will be released in April. ✅ Confirmed – Apple has officially stated that the update is coming in April.
- Claim: Apple Intelligence will be available to all iOS 18-supported devices. ❌ False – AI features are limited to specific iPhone 15 and 16 models.
- Claim: New languages are being added to iOS 18.4. ✅ Confirmed – Apple has expanded support for 10 new system languages.
With iOS 18.4 on the horizon, Apple users can expect a smoother, smarter, and more refined experience. Keep an eye out for its official release in the coming days!
References:
Reported By: https://9to5mac.com/2025/03/28/ios-18-4-release-notes-new-features
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