iOS 18.4: New Features and Enhancements

iOS 18.4, the fourth major update to iOS 18, introduces a host of new features—some exclusive to newer iPhone models, others available to all users. Here’s everything you need to know.

Apple Intelligence Features

  • Priority Notifications: A new feature surfaces important notifications at the top of the Lock Screen. Enable it in Settings > Notifications > Prioritize Notifications.
  • Visual Intelligence (iPhone 15 Pro): Previously limited to iPhone 16 models, this AI-powered tool can now be activated via the Control Center or Action Button.
  • Control Center Apple Intelligence Section: Includes Type to Siri, Visual Intelligence, and other AI-driven tools.
  • Image Playground Updates: A new Sketch style joins Animation and Illustration, and the “Winter Holidays” theme is replaced with “Spring.”
  • New Languages: Adds support for French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (Simplified), plus localized English for Singapore and India.

New Emoji & Genmoji

Fresh emoji like bags under eyes, fingerprint, harp, and shovel debut in iOS 18.4. The Genmoji icon now explicitly says “Genmoji” for clarity.

Vision Pro Integration

  • A new Vision Pro app appears on iPhones after updating, allowing users to discover and download Vision Pro content (Immersive Video, 3D movies, etc.) directly from their iPhone.
  • Guest Mode management can now be handled via iPhone or iPad, with controls for app restrictions and AirPlay-guided experiences.

Apple News+ Food Section

Subscribers gain access to a dedicated Food section, featuring recipes, restaurant stories, and curated content from top publishers like Bon Appétit and Food & Wine.

Ambient Music in Control Center

Four new sound categories—Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing—can be added to Control Center, each with sub-options like Lo-Fi Jazz or Pure Meditation.

Privacy & UI Improvements

  • Privacy Indicator Dots: Now more visible with a black background.
  • Photos Enhancements: New filters for shared/unshared images, one-tap Delete All/Recover All in Recently Deleted, and album sorting by key photo.
  • Type to Siri: The keyboard now collapses after a response, and a new toggle allows activation via the Side Button.

App Store & Shortcuts Upgrades

  • Review Summaries: Quick overviews of app ratings.
  • Pause Downloads: Pause/resume app downloads directly from the App Store.
  • New Shortcuts Actions: Expanded controls for Maps, Safari, Messages, and more.

Maps, Safari & CarPlay Tweaks

  • Preferred Language Setting in Apple Maps.
  • Enhanced Safari Security: View website certificates via Connection Security Details.
  • CarPlay: Some users now see a third row of app icons.

HomeKit & Wallet Updates

  • Robot Vacuum Support: Matter-compatible vacuums can now integrate with HomeKit.
  • Wallet Redesign: A new menu includes Orders, Settings, and Subscriptions.

iPadOS 18.4: Mail Categorization

Following iOS 18.2, the iPad Mail app now sorts emails into Primary, Orders, Newsletters, Deals, and Social categories.

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