Apple has released the first iOS 26.4 public beta for iPhone, introducing AI-powered Apple Music features, redesigned album views, and enhanced device security settings.
Apple has released the first iOS 26.4 public beta version for iPhone, giving developers and public beta testers early access to a range of new features and improvements. The update brings significant enhancements to Apple Music, device security, and system functionality, marking another step in Apple's ongoing software development cycle.
AI-powered Apple Music enhancements
The centerpiece of iOS 26.4 is the revamped Apple Music experience, which now includes AI-powered features designed to make music discovery and playlist creation more intuitive. The redesigned album and playlist views offer a cleaner, more visually appealing interface that puts album artwork and track information front and center.
Perhaps most notably, iOS 26.4 introduces the "Playlist Playground" feature, an AI-driven tool that helps users create custom playlists based on their listening habits, mood preferences, and musical tastes. This feature uses machine learning algorithms to analyze your music library and suggest tracks that complement your existing playlists or help you discover new artists and genres.
Enhanced device management and security
iOS 26.4 brings several important security and device management improvements. The update enables Stolen Device Protection by default, a feature first introduced in previous iOS versions that requires additional authentication when sensitive actions are performed, such as changing your Apple ID password or disabling Find My iPhone.
Another practical addition is the per-device Personal Hotspot data usage reporting. This feature allows users to see exactly how much data each connected device has consumed when using their iPhone as a Personal Hotspot, making it easier to monitor and manage data usage across multiple devices.
Communication and entertainment upgrades
The update also includes progress on end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging, which Apple has been gradually implementing to improve interoperability with Android devices. While full RCS support isn't complete in this beta, the groundwork is being laid for richer, more secure cross-platform messaging.
Video podcast enthusiasts will appreciate the enhanced video podcast experience, which includes improved playback controls, better video quality options, and more seamless integration with the Podcasts app.
CarPlay video support advances
iOS 26's CarPlay video support continues to see progress in this 26.4 beta. While not fully detailed in the initial release notes, this suggests Apple is working toward expanding CarPlay's capabilities beyond audio to include video content, potentially opening up new possibilities for in-car entertainment and navigation.
Public beta program details
Apple's public beta program allows iPhone users to test upcoming software versions before their official release. This early access helps Apple identify and fix bugs while giving users a chance to experience new features ahead of time. However, beta software can be less stable than final releases, so it's generally recommended for testing on secondary devices rather than primary daily drivers.
Users interested in participating can enroll through Apple's Beta Software Program website, where they'll find instructions for installing beta profiles and accessing the latest pre-release software.
What this means for developers and users
For developers, iOS 26.4 provides an opportunity to test their apps against the latest operating system changes and ensure compatibility with new features like the AI-powered Apple Music tools and enhanced CarPlay capabilities. The update also gives insight into Apple's direction for integrating artificial intelligence more deeply into core iOS experiences.
For everyday users, the public beta offers a glimpse at upcoming improvements that could enhance their daily iPhone usage, from smarter music recommendations to better device security and more informative data usage tracking.
As with all beta software, features may change or be removed before the final public release, and users should be prepared for potential bugs or instability. The final version of iOS 26.4 is expected to launch later this spring, following additional beta testing and refinement.
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