Apple has released a new round of beta software for developers today, signaling another significant step forward for Apple’s ecosystem. The latest updates include iOS 18.4 beta 4, iPadOS 18.4 beta 4, macOS 15.4 beta 4, tvOS 18.4 beta 4, visionOS 2.4 beta 4, and watchOS 11.4 beta 4.
The update brings with it a host of changes that focus on making Apple’s software smarter and more intuitive. In previous beta iterations, features such as the renaming of the Wallet app’s “Subscriptions & Payments” section to “Preauthorized Payments” and the introduction of a new toggle under Back Tap settings set the stage for the improvements we now see.
The new developer beta builds on this momentum by introducing smoother animations for notification stacks, subtle bounce effects for the Dynamic Island, and a refreshed copy and paste menu. With iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, Apple is also testing the Priority Notifications feature, which leverages Apple Intelligence to automatically highlight the most important notifications on the Lock Screen, ensuring that users never miss what matters most.
In addition to these visual and performance tweaks, Apple is expanding the reach of its innovative Apple Intelligence features. The update supports a broader range of languages, including French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (simplified), along with localized English for Singapore and India. This enhancement is coupled with the introduction of a new Apple News+ Food section for subscribers, a refreshed Mail experience that categorizes emails on-device, and the long-awaited Sketch style for Image Playground.
Developers and early adopters will also notice that the latest beta introduces new emoji characters that add a playful touch to communication, alongside dedicated tools like the Vision Pro app, which offers a comprehensive way to manage Vision Pro content directly from the iPhone.
Apple has also focused on refining familiar services; CarPlay now supports an additional row of icons, the Mail app on iPad now mirrors the advanced categorization found on the iPhone, and Apple Maps has been updated to allow users to set a preferred language for directions. These enhancements, combined with Ambient Music features and updated control center toggles, are part of Apple’s ongoing commitment to creating a seamless, integrated user experience.
While the highly anticipated Siri updates, which promise improved personal context, app intents, and screen reading enhancements, are still in development for future releases, the improvements in iOS 18.4 are already substantial. With public betas now available alongside developer versions, enthusiasts have the opportunity to test these new features firsthand before the final release, which is expected in early April.
