Apple has officially released iOS 18.4, marking another significant milestone in its phased rollout of iOS 18 updates. This fourth major update brings a host of new features, improvements, and refinements designed to enhance the overall user experience. Notably, it includes expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities, language support for Indian English, advanced AI-powered Visual Intelligence for iPhone 15 Pro users, and numerous quality-of-life enhancements across system applications.
Availability and How to Download
The iOS 18.4 update is now available for all compatible iPhones, starting from the iPhone XR and later models. Users can check for the update by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update and following the on-screen instructions. It is strongly recommended to back up your device before initiating the update to ensure a smooth transition and avoid data loss.
New Features and Enhancements in iOS 18.4
1. Expanded Language Support for Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence now supports additional languages, including:
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French
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German
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Italian
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Brazilian Portuguese
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Spanish
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Japanese
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Korean
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Simplified Chinese
Additionally, localized English versions have been introduced for India and Singapore, making AI-driven features more accessible for diverse linguistic users.
2. Visual Intelligence for iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max
Apple is now extending its Visual Intelligence feature, previously exclusive to iPhone 16 models, to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. This AI-powered tool can be activated via Control Center or assigned to the Action Button, allowing users to analyze images, texts, and objects in real time using their camera.
3. Apple Vision Pro App Integration
With iOS 18.4, Apple introduces a dedicated Vision Pro app for users of the Apple Vision Pro headset. Key features include:
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Easier discovery and download of immersive spatial apps
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Guest Mode, which allows owners to restrict access to certain apps when sharing their device
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Enhanced connectivity between iPhones and Vision Pro for seamless interaction
4. Apple News+ Food Section
Apple News+ now features a dedicated Food section, offering:
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Thousands of curated recipes
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Restaurant reviews and cooking tips
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Exclusive food content from top publishers
5. Priority Notifications
Apple Intelligence now prioritizes notifications by sorting the most important alerts into a dedicated section on the lock screen. This feature helps users focus on essential notifications and can be enabled via Settings > Notifications > Prioritize Notifications.
6. Control Center Enhancements
A new Apple Intelligence section has been added to Control Center, offering:
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Quick access to Type to Siri
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Improved voice activation options
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New AI-related tools
7. Ambient Music in Control Center
Users can now play background ambient sounds directly from the Control Center, with sound profiles designed for:
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Sleep
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Chill
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Productivity
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Wellbeing
8. Image Playground – New Sketch Style
Apple's Image Playground app now supports a Sketch style, in addition to the existing Animation and Illustration styles. Users can quickly switch styles using the + button within the app.
9. New Emoji Additions
iOS 18.4 introduces new emoji characters, expanding the selection with:
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Fingerprint
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Leafless tree
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Root vegetable
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Harp
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Shovel
10. Photos App Improvements
Apple has enhanced the Photos app with:
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New filtering options for shared images
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One-tap actions for deleting or recovering recently deleted photos
11. App Store Updates
Users can now pause app downloads directly from the update list in the App Store, allowing greater control over app installations.
12. Apple Maps – Preferred Language Setting
A new Preferred Language setting lets users set their default language for Apple Maps navigation, making it more user-friendly for multilingual users.
13. HomeKit – Robot Vacuum Support
Apple has added support for robot vacuums within HomeKit. This requires Matter-compatible vacuums, allowing users to integrate their cleaning devices with Apple’s smart home ecosystem.
14. Safari Enhancements
Safari now includes:
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Updated App Store link previews
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An option to disable recent searches, improving privacy and customization
15. CarPlay Update
Apple has redesigned CarPlay’s home screen, adding:
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A third row of icons for faster access to frequently used apps
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Refinements to the interface for improved usability
16. Passwords App – Two-Factor Authentication Countdown
A new countdown indicator has been added for two-factor authentication codes, showing the remaining time before a new code is generated.
17. Privacy and Security Enhancements
iOS 18.4 strengthens user privacy and security with:
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More prominent camera and microphone indicators (now displayed with a black background for better visibility)
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Two new Australian Siri voices
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Type to Siri UI improvement (keyboard now collapses automatically after Siri provides an answer)
