Apple has unveiled the initial iOS 26.4 RC build, bringing 13 upgrades for iPhone users. This update is projected to be publicly released next week, with iOS 26.5 expected to include Gemini-powered Siri and Apple Intelligence features in the beta phase.
### iOS 26.4 Release Notes
The update features notable enhancements, bug fixes, and security improvements, prominently showcasing Playlist Playground and Concerts in Apple Music, along with eight additional emoji.
#### Apple Music Enhancements
– **Playlist Playground (beta)**: Creates a playlist based on user-provided descriptions, complete with a title, description, and tracklist.
– **Concerts**: Assists users in discovering local concerts from artists in their library and suggests new artists tailored to their listening patterns.
– **Offline Music Recognize**: Recognizes songs without requiring internet access, providing results automatically once connectivity is restored.
– **Ambient Music Widget**: Curates playlists for Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing directly on the Home Screen.
– **Full-Screen Backgrounds**: Offers a more immersive experience for album and playlist views.
#### Accessibility Improvements
– **Reduce Bright Effects**: Diminishes bright flashes when interacting with elements such as buttons.
– **Subtitle and Caption Settings**: Conveniently accessible via the captions icon during media playback for easy customization and previewing.
– **Reduce Motion Setting**: More effectively decreases animations for users who are sensitive to screen motion.
#### Additional Enhancements
– **New Emoji**: Eight fresh emojis, which include an orca, trombone, landslide, ballet dancer, and distorted face.
– **Freeform Updates**: Gains advanced tools for image creation and editing, alongside a premium content library.
– **Urgent Reminders**: Users can designate reminders as urgent from the Quick Toolbar or by long-pressing, with filtering options in Smart Lists.
– **Purchase Sharing**: Permits adult members of Family Sharing groups to utilize their personal payment methods for purchases.
– **Improved Keyboard Accuracy**: Enhancements made for swift typing.
iOS 26.4 is currently accessible as a release candidate for beta testers, with the official launch likely next week. For an extensive overview of the new features, refer to 9to5Mac’s coverage.