Apple has officially released iOS 18.4, bringing a host of new features and improvements that enhance user experience, privacy, and customization. This update also expands Apple Intelligence, introducing advanced AI-powered functionalities and broader language support. Here’s a detailed and accurate breakdown of what iOS 18.4 offers.
In This Article:
Key Features of iOS 18.4
Apple Intelligence Enhancements
- Priority Notifications: Apple Intelligence now intelligently prioritizes urgent notifications, displaying them at the top of the stack. This AI-driven feature ensures that users don’t miss critical alerts while reducing notification clutter.
- Image Playground with Sketch Style: A new feature in Image Playground allows users to create AI-generated images in a “Sketch” style, adding an artistic dimension to their visuals. This function is exclusive to Image Playground and does not modify existing photos.
- Expanded Language Support: Apple Intelligence now supports eight additional languages, including French, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese. Additionally, English localization has been optimized for users in Singapore and India.
Photos App Improvements
- Advanced Filtering Options: Users now have improved filtering options, though filtering by date modified is not specifically highlighted in Apple’s official release notes.
- Control Over Auto-Generated Albums: Users can now disable automatic album creations such as ‘Recently Shared’ and ‘Viewed,’ allowing greater control over their photo organization.
Apple News+ Additions
Apple News+ introduces a Food Section, featuring recipes and a dedicated Cooking mode. While this feature was previously announced by Apple, its release as part of iOS 18.4 has not been officially confirmed.
Ambient Music Feature
A new Ambient Music feature allows users to play curated playlists directly from the Control Center. This feature enhances relaxation and focus through AI-generated ambient soundtracks.
Screen Time and Safari Updates
- Persistent Screen Time Limits: Apple has reinforced Screen Time settings, preventing children from bypassing app usage restrictions by uninstalling and reinstalling apps.
- Enhanced Safari Suggestions: While Safari has received performance improvements, the specific claim that it now offers “recent search suggestions” is not explicitly mentioned in Apple’s documentation.
iOS 18.4 in India: Localized Features and Language Support
Apple has expanded localized support in India with English (India) as a system language and introduced ten additional regional languages: Bangla, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
Eligible Devices for Apple Intelligence Features
Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18.4 are exclusive to devices with A17 Pro and later chips, including:
- iPhone 15 Pro & iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 Series (excluding rumored iPhone 16e, which does not exist)
- iPads and Macs with M1 chip or later
For a full list of compatible devices, refer to Apple’s support page.
How to Update to iOS 18.4 and Enable Apple Intelligence
Users can update their devices by following these steps:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Tap Download and Install.
- Ensure the device is connected to Wi-Fi and charging to complete the installation smoothly.
- After updating, Apple Intelligence features may take time to download and activate.
For the best experience, users should keep their devices plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi post-update.
Moving Forward
iOS 18.4 introduces a range of powerful new features, particularly in Apple Intelligence, notification management, and customization. However, some previously rumored functionalities—such as photo filtering by date modified and Safari’s recent search suggestions—are not explicitly confirmed in Apple’s documentation. Users seeking the most reliable information should refer to Apple’s official announcements and reputable tech news sources.
By – Nikita
