Apple has released the first public beta of iOS 26.4, opening up a sizeable set of new features to everyday users ahead of the expected official launch in March or April. The update touches nearly every corner of the iPhone experience — from an AI-powered music tool to encrypted messaging and stronger protections against device theft.
Anyone who wants to try the beta can sign up through Apple’s official beta program and download the software directly through the Settings app.
Apple Music Gets an AI Upgrade
Among the most eye-catching changes is a new Apple Music feature called “Playlist Playground,” which taps into Apple Intelligence to generate a custom 25-song playlist from a simple text prompt. Users can type something like “upbeat workout mix” or “calm evening,” and the feature builds a playlist around that idea. From there, it’s possible to tweak the results and choose matching cover art to personalize the final product.
The visual side of Apple Music has been refreshed as well, with full-page artwork now displayed for albums and playlists. A new “Concerts Near You” section also makes its debut, letting users browse nearby live shows with filters for date and genre — useful if you’re planning around travel or just want to see who’s playing locally.
Video Comes to Apple Podcasts
Apple Podcasts is stepping up its video game in iOS 26.4. Using HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) technology, the app now supports native video podcast playback. Listeners can toggle between audio and video within the same episode or expand to a full horizontal view. Videos automatically adjust quality based on the available connection — whether Wi-Fi or cellular — and episodes can be downloaded for offline viewing.
For podcast creators, this update unlocks the ability to dynamically insert video ads, including host-read spots, directly into their content. Apple does not charge creators to distribute podcasts, but ad networks delivering dynamic ads through HLS video will face an impression-based fee starting later this year. At launch, platforms including Acast, Amazon’s ART19, Triton’s Omny Studio, and SiriusXM are on board as supported partners.
Encrypted RCS Messaging Enters Testing
A long-overdue security upgrade is being tested in iOS 26.4: end-to-end encryption for RCS (Rich Communication Services) messages. For now, the feature only works between iPhones when iMessage is switched off, but Apple has confirmed plans to extend the protection to iPhone-to-Android conversations in a future update.
Encrypted chats are clearly labeled and display a lock icon, and Apple has stated that messages in these conversations cannot be read while traveling between devices. The upgrade aligns with the GSM Association’s formal backing of E2EE for RCS, and it requires Apple to adopt RCS Universal Profile 3.0, which is built on the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol. The feature remains in beta and is not yet available on all devices or carriers.
Stolen Device Protection Now Default
iPhone security receives a notable improvement in iOS 26.4. Stolen Device Protection, which previously had to be turned on manually, is now enabled by default for all users. When activated, it requires Face ID or Touch ID authentication for sensitive tasks — such as viewing saved passwords or modifying account settings — particularly when the device is away from familiar locations like home or work.
The update also introduces a one-hour delay before any Apple Account password change is processed. This built-in window is designed to give a stolen device’s owner enough time to mark it as lost and lock down access before a thief can take full control.
CarPlay, Camera, and More
iOS 26.4 brings several other notable changes across the system. CarPlay now supports in-car video playback through select apps, including the Apple TV app, but only when the vehicle is parked. CarPlay is also gaining access to third-party AI services for the first time — ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Anthropic’s Claude are all supported in this release.
In the Camera app, a new Audio Zoom feature adjusts the microphone’s focus to track your subject as you zoom in, reducing unwanted background noise without requiring any extra gear. The Reminders app gains an “Urgent” category that groups high-priority tasks and triggers more noticeable alerts as deadlines close in. The Health app adds an Average Bedtime metric that shows your typical sleep start time over the past two weeks, and the Vitals section now includes a daily blood oxygen chart.
On the security side, Memory Integrity Enforcement (MIE) is expanding in scope, with apps now able to opt into the full level of MIE protections — going beyond the Soft Mode that was available previously. Apple originally introduced MIE as a defense against sophisticated spyware targeting system memory.
One thing missing from iOS 26.4 is a redesigned Siri. Apple has hinted at deeper AI improvements for its voice assistant, but those changes are not part of this update, with reports indicating the revamp has been pushed back yet again.
