Apple has officially released the final versions of iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 on March 31, 2025, marking a significant update to its mobile operating systems. This release comes two months after the previous versions, iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3, which were launched earlier this year.
The new updates include a variety of features aimed at enhancing user experience across devices. Users can install iOS 18.4 by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update on compatible devices. For older models that do not support iOS 18, updates for iOS/iPadOS 16.7.11 and iOS/iPadOS 15.8.4 have been released to ensure continued support.
One of the standout features in iOS 18.4 is the introduction of priority notifications. This feature allows the most important notifications to be displayed in a dedicated section on the lock screen, ensuring that users can easily access critical alerts. Additionally, Apple has introduced a new ambient music feature, enabling users to play relaxing music directly from the Control Center, enhancing the overall user experience.
In a bid to keep the platform fresh and engaging, Apple has added eight new emojis, including a face with bags under the eyes, a shovel, a splash, and a fingerprint. These additions are part of Apple's ongoing commitment to keeping its messaging platform vibrant and relevant.
Another significant update is the introduction of the new Apple Vision Pro app, which will be automatically installed for users who own the Vision Pro headset. This app allows users to access and manage spatial content, providing a more immersive experience for those utilizing Apple’s latest technology.
Apple Intelligence is also expanding its capabilities with this update, now available on all iPhone 16 models, as well as the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. This includes support for additional languages, such as English (Singapore, India), French (France, Canada), Portuguese (Brazil, Portugal), Spanish (Spain, Mexico), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (China, Hong Kong). With these updates, Apple Intelligence aims to cater to a broader audience, enhancing accessibility and usability.
The Image Playground feature has received a notable upgrade as well, introducing a new Sketch style that allows users to create images from sketches. This creative tool enhances the functionality of Apple’s photo editing suite, encouraging users to explore their artistic side.
Furthermore, the Photos app has been revamped with new filters that enable users to display or hide items that are not part of an album or are not synchronized with a Mac or PC. Users can also change the order of items in media collections and sort albums by the date of modification, offering a more personalized and organized photo management experience.
In terms of usability, Safari has been improved to provide quick access to previous search queries when entering new ones, making it easier for users to find information quickly. The Setup Assistant has also been simplified, allowing parents to create child accounts with default parental controls easily.
Screen Time restrictions now persist even if a child deletes and reinstalls an app, ensuring that parental controls remain effective. The App Store has also seen enhancements, including user review summaries that allow for quick insights into app performance and the ability to pause and resume downloads without losing progress.
In the realm of podcasts, new widgets have been introduced, including a subscriptions widget that alerts users to new episodes of their favorite shows and a library widget that provides convenient access to important sections like recent episodes, saved content, and downloads.
Additionally, the Home app now supports Matter-compatible robotic vacuum cleaners, allowing users to integrate these devices into scenes and automations for a smarter home experience.
The update also introduces support for ten new system languages, including Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu, further expanding the global reach of Apple's operating systems.
As Apple continues to innovate, it is already working on the next updates, with iOS 18.5 expected to be released in the coming months. Furthermore, the company is set to unveil iOS 19 during the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025, scheduled for June 9 to June 13, 2025. This annual event is highly anticipated as it typically showcases the latest advancements in Apple’s software ecosystem.
Overall, the release of iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 underscores Apple’s commitment to enhancing user experience through continuous updates and innovative features. With these updates, users can expect a more streamlined, engaging, and versatile interaction with their devices.
