iOS 26.4 is a major update that includes many new features for Apple Music, Podcasts, CarPlay, and more. The software is currently available in beta, where its public release date can be anticipated.
Redaksiya reports that the next major iPhone update will be iOS 26.4. Apple is still beta testing the update, but by looking at the history of x.4 releases, we can get a good understanding of when iOS 26.4 will be publicly released. Here are the release dates of past years' updates:
iOS 18.4: Monday, March 31 iOS 17.4: Tuesday, March 5 iOS 16.4: Monday, March 27 iOS 15.4: Monday, March 14
Apple has been consistent in its release month, sticking to March for the past few years. As a result, it is highly probable that iOS 26.4 will also be released in March. However, if we want to narrow down the release window further, it is also useful to consider Apple's beta release dates. The first betas of iOS 18.4 and 16.4 debuted in mid to late February. Beta testing for iOS 17.4 and 15.4, however, began earlier, in late January. Thus, updates released in late March began beta testing in February, while those released in early March had their first betas in January. The first iOS 26.4 beta arrived last week, on February 16, following the trend of iOS 18.4 and 16.4. Therefore, the public release date for iOS 26.4 is expected to be in late March. Apple has already released two beta versions, so the testing period might be faster, and we could see the release in mid-March. In any case, we are a few weeks away from the public release of iOS 26.4. Upcoming new features in iOS 26.4: There were few new features in iOS 26.3, Apple's latest software update. However, iOS 26.4 offers more for iPhone users. New features include:
Apple Music has five new features, such as the AI Playlist Playground tool, a new design for albums and playlists, concert information, and more.
Apple Podcasts is getting an improved, modern video experience
CarPlay introduces AI chatbot apps and video playback support
The Health app adds new Sleep and Vital Signs data
Freeform gains exclusive features to Apple Creator Studio
Reminders has a new 'Urgent' smart list. The wallpaper gallery has been updated
The iOS 26.4 beta allows users to test end-to-end encryption for RCS, but Apple states that this feature will not be available to all users until a future iOS update.