Apple has officially rolled out iOS 18.4 beta 2 for developers, bringing a host of new features and refinements ahead of its expected public release in April. This latest beta update offers improvements to Apple Intelligence, expanded compatibility for Visual Intelligence, additional customization options for Priority Notifications, new Control Center toggles, fresh emoji, and enhancements to the Wallet app, among other tweaks. With Apple continuing to refine iOS 18.4 through developer testing, users can expect a smoother and more intelligent experience when the update rolls out widely in the coming months.
One of the most notable changes in iOS 18.4 beta 2 is the expansion of Visual Intelligence to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Previously limited to the iPhone 16 series, Visual Intelligence is an AI-powered tool that allows users to perform real-time visual searches by analyzing images and objects using Apple’s on-device machine learning and cloud-based AI models. The feature was initially designed to work through the Camera Control button on iPhone 16 models, but since the iPhone 16e lacks this button, Apple has adapted it to be accessible via the Action button and Control Center. Now, this functionality has also been extended to the iPhone 15 Pro lineup, providing more users access to advanced AI-based visual search capabilities.
Another major enhancement comes in the form of Priority Notifications, which were first introduced in iOS 18.4 beta 1. This feature leverages artificial intelligence to highlight the most important notifications, ensuring that critical alerts don’t get lost in a flood of less urgent messages. With beta 2, Apple has added a new customization option that allows users to select which apps are eligible for prioritization. Within the Settings app, users can now see a list of installed apps and manually choose which ones should have their notifications elevated. This added control ensures that only the most relevant and time-sensitive notifications take center stage, preventing unnecessary distractions.
Apple has also made improvements to the Control Center, making it easier to access key Apple Intelligence and Siri features. iOS 18.4 beta 2 introduces new toggles for functions like Talk to Siri, Type to Siri, and Visual Intelligence. While the Type to Siri feature was originally launched with iOS 18.1, its integration into the Control Center in this update makes it more convenient for users who prefer text-based interactions with Siri. These new toggles are available on all iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models, further integrating Apple’s AI-driven tools into everyday use.
For emoji lovers, iOS 18.4 beta 2 brings seven new additions to the emoji library. These include a face with bags under the eyes, a fingerprint, a leafless tree, a root vegetable, a harp, a shovel, and a splatter. While Apple’s introduction of Genmoji—its AI-generated custom emoji—has made traditional emoji somewhat less central to the messaging experience, these new additions still provide fresh ways for users to express themselves in conversations.
Apple’s News app is also receiving a significant update with the introduction of a new section called Apple News Plus Food. This feature, exclusive to Apple News Plus subscribers, offers access to "tens of thousands of recipes" from popular food publishers like Allrecipes, Bon Appétit, and Food & Wine. It also includes a "cook mode" that presents full-screen, step-by-step instructions, making it easier for users to follow recipes while cooking. This marks Apple’s latest push into lifestyle-focused content, further expanding the utility of the News app.
In terms of smart home advancements, iOS 18.4 beta 2 introduces support for robot vacuums within the Apple Home app via the Matter protocol. This means users will now be able to control and automate their robot vacuums directly from the Home app, set schedules, adjust operation modes, and integrate the devices into existing home automation scenes. This update is part of Apple’s broader efforts to improve HomeKit’s compatibility with Matter-supported devices, making smart home management more seamless for users.
Apple Maps is also receiving an important upgrade, particularly for electric vehicle (EV) owners in the United States. The latest update improves EV routing capabilities, allowing Apple Maps to recognize that certain Ford electric vehicles can charge at Tesla NACS (North American Charging Standard) stations in addition to CCS (Combined Charging System) stations. This change makes it easier for EV owners to plan their trips and locate compatible charging stations along their routes.
The Wallet app has also seen a refresh, with a new three-dot menu appearing in the top-right corner of the interface. This menu provides quick access to key features like orders, settings, and a new "Subscriptions & Payments" section. The Subscriptions & Payments screen offers a clearer view of all recurring payments and subscriptions authorized through Apple Pay, helping users keep track of their financial commitments more easily. Given the growing reliance on subscription-based services, this feature provides a much-needed way to manage ongoing payments at a glance.
Lastly, Apple has introduced new shortcut actions in iOS 18.4 beta 2, expanding automation capabilities across native apps like Books, News, Safari, and Maps. These updates lay the groundwork for more advanced Siri-powered interactions in the future, potentially allowing for deeper contextual automation and hands-free navigation across Apple’s ecosystem.
With these enhancements, iOS 18.4 beta 2 continues to refine Apple’s AI-powered ecosystem, offering a smarter, more customizable, and more seamless user experience. Developers can test these features now, with a public release expected in April.
