Apple has officially rolled out iOS 18.4, a significant update that introduces a plethora of new features and enhancements to the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Released on March 31, 2025, alongside macOS 15.4, visionOS 2.4, and tvOS 18.4, this update promises to enhance user experience significantly.
One of the standout features of iOS 18.4 is the introduction of Priority Notifications. This feature leverages on-device intelligence to prioritize notifications, ensuring that the most important alerts are highlighted at the top of the notification center. However, users will need to enable this feature manually through the Settings app by navigating to Notifications and selecting "Prioritize Notifications". Once activated, it allows users to customize which apps can send priority notifications, making it easier to manage alerts without feeling overwhelmed.
In addition to Priority Notifications, iOS 18.4 also brings an exciting new capability called Ambient Music. This feature expands the functionality of Apple Music beyond the app itself, integrating it into the Control Center. Users can now access four distinct mood playlists—Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing—directly from the Control Center or their Lock Screen. Each mood is associated with specific playlists; for instance, the Productivity control defaults to playing BEATstrumentals, although users can customize it to trigger any playlist of their choice.
Another notable addition in this update is the new Sketch style option in the Image Playground feature. This allows users to create images that resemble hand-drawn sketches, enhancing the creative possibilities within the app. The Sketch style joins the existing Animation and Illustration styles, providing users with more ways to express their artistic vision.
Apple has also expanded the capabilities of its Visual Intelligence feature, which is now available for iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models. Users can activate Visual Intelligence through the Control Center or by using the Action Button, making it easier to access this feature without needing a dedicated Camera Control button.
Moreover, iOS 18.4 introduces a new Apple Vision Pro app designed for users of the Vision Pro headset. This app facilitates the exploration of new content and spatial experiences, providing a seamless way to access information about the device.
For those who enjoy cooking, the Apple News+ service has been enhanced with a new Food section, offering subscribers access to tens of thousands of recipes from renowned publishers. This section includes features like a Recipe Catalog for easy browsing and a cooking mode that provides step-by-step instructions.
In the realm of communication, iOS 18.4 introduces several new emojis, including a face with bags under the eyes, a fingerprint, a shovel, a harp, a leafless tree, a splatter emoji, and the flag of Sark. These new additions aim to enrich user expression in digital conversations.
Privacy features have also been improved, with new dots indicating when the camera or microphone is in use being made more visible against a black background. Additionally, the Genmoji icon in the Emoji keyboard has been updated to clearly indicate its purpose, making it easier for users to create custom emojis.
The Photos app has received a significant update as well, with new filters that allow users to show or hide items not contained in albums or synced from a Mac or PC. Users can now reorder items in their library, sort albums by date modified, and disable the "Recently Viewed" and "Recently Shared" collections in the app's settings. Hidden photos will no longer be included when importing to a Mac or PC if Face ID is enabled.
iOS 18.4 also brings enhancements to the Shortcuts app, adding numerous new actions that allow users to change settings for various Apple apps, including Safari, Maps, and Calendar. This feature is expected to pave the way for the upcoming Siri Intents feature, which will enable Siri to perform actions on users' behalf.
For users in the European Union, the update brings support for eight additional languages, including French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese, along with localized English options for India and Singapore.
As part of the update, the App Store now features summaries for user reviews, helping users to quickly gauge the overall sentiment about an app. Additionally, the Podcasts app has introduced two new widgets—one for Library and another for Shows—making it easier for users to access their favorite content directly from the Home Screen.
Furthermore, the update supports Matter-compatible robot vacuum cleaners, allowing users to control these devices through the Home app, integrating smart home management into a single platform.
Overall, iOS 18.4 represents a substantial step forward for Apple, offering a wealth of new features and improvements that enhance usability, creativity, and connectivity across its devices. Users can download the update by going to Settings > General > Software Update and following the on-screen instructions.
With these updates, Apple continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing innovative solutions that cater to the evolving needs of its user base, ensuring that their devices remain at the forefront of technology.
