Apple has officially released iOS 18.4, introducing a suite of new features and enhancements designed to improve user experience across various applications.
Priority Notifications with Apple Intelligence
A standout feature in iOS 18.4 is the introduction of Priority Notifications, powered by Apple Intelligence. This system identifies and highlights notifications that may require immediate attention, displaying them prominently at the top of the Home Screen’s notification stack. This ensures that users can quickly address critical alerts without sifting through less urgent notifications.
Expanded Language Support
Apple Intelligence now supports additional languages, including French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese. Localized English options for Singapore and India have also been introduced, broadening accessibility for a diverse user base.
Apple Vision Pro App
iOS 18.4 debuts the Apple Vision Pro app, aimed at users of the Vision Pro headset. This application assists in discovering new content and spatial experiences, providing quick access to device information and enhancing the overall user interaction with the Vision Pro ecosystem.
Apple News+ Food Section
Subscribers to Apple News+ can now enjoy a dedicated Food section featuring tens of thousands of recipes from renowned publishers such as Allrecipes, Bon Appétit, and Serious Eats. The section includes a Recipe Catalog for browsing and saving dishes, a Cooking mode with step-by-step instructions, and articles on restaurants, kitchen tips, and healthy eating.
Photos App Enhancements
The Photos app has received several updates, including new filters to show or hide items not contained in an album, options to sort albums by Date Modified, and the ability to reorder items in the Media Types and Utilities collections. These enhancements provide users with more control over organizing and viewing their photo libraries.
Ambient Music Feature
A new Ambient Music option has been added to the Control Center, allowing users to instantly play hand-curated playlists suited for various activities such as relaxation, sleep, productivity, and well-being. This feature offers a convenient way to access background music directly from the Control Center.
Additional Improvements
• Safari Enhancements: Recent search suggestions now help users quickly return to previous search topics when initiating a new query.
• Screen Time: App Limits persist even after an app is uninstalled and reinstalled, ensuring consistent usage restrictions.
• App Store: Summaries for user reviews provide at-a-glance insights from other users, aiding in informed app selection.
• Home App: Support for Matter-compatible robotic vacuums has been added, allowing control within the Home app and integration into scenes and automations
iOS 18.4 is available for download now, bringing these features and improvements to compatible iPhone models. Users are encouraged to update their devices to take advantage of the latest advancements in functionality and user experience.