On March 31, 2025, Apple officially launched iOS 18.4, introducing a host of new features including priority notifications, enhanced Apple Intelligence capabilities, and a revamped photo app. The update aims to improve user experience and streamline communication on iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
One of the standout features of iOS 18.4 is the new priority notifications system. This function utilizes Apple Intelligence to highlight important notifications that may require immediate attention, ensuring that users don’t miss critical updates. As noted in Apple’s patch notes, these priority notifications will appear at the top of the notification stack on the home screen, making it easier for users to stay informed.
The update is available to all iPhone models that support iOS 18.4, including the iPhone XS released in 2018. Users can easily update their devices by navigating to the Settings app, tapping General, and then selecting Software Update. The update also extends to iPadOS 18.4 and macOS Sequoia 15.4, which means a broader range of Apple devices can benefit from these new features.
In addition to priority notifications, iOS 18.4 expands the availability of Apple Intelligence to several new languages. Users can now access these features in French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (simplified), along with localized English for Singapore and India. This expansion signifies Apple’s commitment to making its technology more accessible globally.
However, the update has not been without controversy. Users have reported that even if they previously opted out of Apple Intelligence, the new update reactivates it by default. This has raised concerns among some users who prefer to limit their interaction with Apple’s AI technology. Since the initial rollout of Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18.1, many users have chosen to disable these tools, citing issues such as storage consumption and the perceived lack of value added to their experience.
According to a recent survey by SellCell, 73% of Apple users believe that AI adds little to no value to their device experience. In a separate survey conducted by CNET, it was found that 25% of smartphone owners are not interested in utilizing AI features at all. This sentiment reflects a growing skepticism towards AI technologies, even as companies like Apple continue to push for their adoption.
For those concerned about storage, Apple Intelligence can consume significant space on devices, with some tools using up to 7GB of internal storage. Users can check how much storage is being used by navigating to Settings, then General, and selecting iPhone (or iPad) Storage. Interestingly, after filling the storage on an iPhone, inactive Apple Intelligence data was purged to accommodate new files, dropping from 5.89GB to 2.87GB.
Turning off Apple Intelligence is straightforward. Users can disable it entirely by going to Settings (for iPhone or iPad) or System Settings (for Mac), selecting Apple Intelligence & Siri, and then toggling off the Apple Intelligence option. However, disabling it completely means losing access to features such as Writing Tools, Notification Summaries, Visual Intelligence (available on iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro), Genmoji, and Image Playground, which allows users to create AI-generated images.
For those who wish to retain some AI functionality while disabling others, Apple provides options to selectively turn off specific features. For instance, users can disable text summaries in Messages notifications by going to Settings, then Apps, selecting Messages, and switching off the Summarize Messages option. This flexibility allows users to customize their experience according to their preferences.
In addition to these updates, iOS 18.4 introduces a dedicated Ambient Music feature accessible via the Control Center, offering playlists for Chill, Sleep, Productivity, and Wellbeing. Users can add this feature to their Control Center by swiping down from the top-right edge of their device and tapping the plus (+) icon.
The photo app has also seen improvements, with new sorting options allowing users to arrange their photos by oldest or newest, as well as reorder items in the "Media Types" and "Utilities" collections. Users can also disable the "Recently Viewed" and "Recently Shared" collections in settings, providing greater control over their photo management.
Another notable addition is the "Recipe Catalog" on Apple News+, enabling users to browse and save dishes, complete with a "Cooking mode" that guides them through step-by-step directions. This feature aligns with Apple’s efforts to enhance user engagement and provide practical tools for everyday activities.
As Apple continues to innovate with its software updates, the company is also expanding its Apple Intelligence capabilities to the Vision Pro headset, launching a dedicated app to help users discover new content and experiences. This move demonstrates Apple’s ambition to integrate its technologies across various platforms, enhancing the overall ecosystem for users.
While many users appreciate the advancements in technology and the introduction of new features, the mixed reception regarding Apple Intelligence highlights the challenge of balancing innovation with user preferences. As AI continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how Apple will address these concerns and adapt its offerings to meet the diverse needs of its user base.
