iOS 18.4 Beta Features – What’s Changing in Apple’s New Update!

Apple has officially rolled out the iOS 18.4 beta update, and it comes packed with exciting features that enhance functionality, usability, and personalization. This update is designed to improve user experience, making Apple devices smarter, more intuitive, and efficient. Whether you’re an Apple enthusiast, a developer, or just someone who loves keeping up with the latest iOS updates, this guide will break down everything you need to know about iOS 18.4 beta.

iOS 18.4 Beta Features

The iOS 18.4 beta update is packed with new features designed to enhance productivity, creativity, and personalization. From smart home integrations and AI-driven notifications to expanded customization options, Apple continues to refine the iOS experience.

For those eager to try out these features, enrolling in the beta program is an exciting opportunity. However, as with all beta versions, it’s best to proceed with caution and back up your data before installing.

1. Matter Support for Robot Vacuums

Apple continues to expand its support for the Matter smart home standard, now introducing compatibility with robot vacuums. This means users can:

• Start and stop cleaning directly from the Apple Home app.
• Choose between vacuum and mop functions.
• Set different cleaning modes like Quiet, Deep Clean, or Spot Cleaning.
• Automate vacuuming schedules through Apple’s HomeKit automation.

For smart home users, this makes managing their robot vacuum much easier, reducing the need for third-party apps.

2. Priority Notifications – Smarter Alerts

Apple is leveraging on-device AI to introduce Priority Notifications. This feature automatically identifies and displays the most important alerts at the top of your lock screen. Key benefits include:

• Reduced distractions by filtering out non-urgent notifications.
• Uses machine learning to understand which messages matter most.
• Helps users stay focused on what’s important while avoiding clutter.

To enable this feature: Go to Settings > Notifications > Enable Priority Notifications.

3. Apple News+ Food Section – Your Digital Cookbook

Apple is expanding its News+ subscription with a dedicated Food section. Users now have access to:

• Thousands of exclusive recipes from Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Serious Eats, and more.
• A new “Cook Mode” for step-by-step cooking guidance.
• Curated content on restaurant trends, nutrition, and food culture.

This update makes Apple News+ more valuable for food lovers who enjoy discovering and trying new recipes.

4. Image Playground Sketch Style – New Creative Options

Apple’s Image Playground now includes a Sketch style, allowing users to create images with a hand-drawn aesthetic. This adds to the existing Animation and Illustration styles, offering more creative possibilities for:

• Artists who want a hand-drawn look for their projects.
• Content creators looking for unique social media visuals.
• Students and educators using iPads for visual storytelling.

5. Ambient Music Control Center Options

Apple has introduced four new quick-access music modes to help users control their mood and environment:

• Chill – Relaxing music for unwinding.
• Productivity – Focus-enhancing background tunes.
• Sleep – Soothing sounds to improve sleep quality.
• Wellbeing – Mindfulness music for stress relief.

These can be accessed in Control Center and even assigned to the Action button on supported iPhones.

6. Safari Privacy Enhancements

Safari now includes stronger anti-tracking measures, making it harder for advertisers to track user activity across websites. Other updates include:

• Improved ad-blocking options to prevent intrusive ads.
• Automatic HTTPS upgrades for enhanced security.
• More control over website permissions for location, camera, and microphone access.

7. CarPlay Enhancements

Apple has improved CarPlay integration, making navigation smoother and more responsive. Notable updates include:

• A refreshed user interface for better readability.
• Third-party navigation app support for enhanced flexibility.
• New car manufacturer partnerships for deeper integration.

8. Battery Optimization and Performance Improvements

The iOS 18.4 beta includes new battery management tools, helping users prolong their battery life by:

• Monitoring app battery usage to identify power-hungry apps.
• Optimized charging schedules to reduce long-term battery wear.
• Automatic power-saving suggestions based on user habits.

9. Bug Fixes and General Enhancements

As always, this update comes with bug fixes and performance tweaks that make iPhones and iPads run faster and smoother. Users can expect:

• Fewer crashes and glitches in apps and the OS.
• Smoother animations and UI transitions.
• Improved connectivity for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirDrop.

FAQs On iOS 18.4 Beta Features

1. What is the biggest new feature in iOS 18.4 beta?
The Priority Notifications feature uses AI to highlight important alerts at the top of the lock screen, helping users stay focused on key messages.

2. How does iOS 18.4 improve smart home integration?
Apple has added Matter support for robot vacuums, allowing users to control their vacuum cleaners directly from the Apple Home app and set cleaning schedules.

3. What new customization options are available in iOS 18.4?
Users can now choose default apps for translation and navigation, giving them more flexibility to use third-party apps instead of Apple’s default ones.

4. What improvements has Apple made to Safari in iOS 18.4?
Safari now has stronger anti-tracking measures, automatic HTTPS upgrades, and improved ad-blocking to enhance user privacy and security.

5. How does iOS 18.4 enhance CarPlay functionality?
Apple has updated CarPlay with a refreshed UI, improved support for third-party navigation apps, and better integration with new car manufacturers.

6. What battery optimization features are included in iOS 18.4?
The update includes smart battery monitoring, optimized charging schedules, and automatic power-saving suggestions to extend battery life.