iOS 18.4 is around the corner: These are 4 confirmed new features

Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.4 in April, bringing a set of exciting new features to iPhone users. While this update does not include the long-awaited AI-powered Siri, it does introduce enhancements to notifications, music, emoji, and Apple News. Here’s a look at what’s coming.

Priority notifications

One of the standout additions in iOS 18.4 is priority notifications, a feature powered by Apple Intelligence. This new system automatically highlights your most important notifications in a dedicated section on the Lock Screen, ensuring that critical alerts don’t get lost in the clutter.

Users can manage this feature through Settings, allowing them to select which apps should be included in priority sorting. However, it’s important to note that priority notifications will only be available on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and upcoming iPhone 16 models.

Ambient music

Apple is also introducing ambient music controls to the Control Center, making it easier to create the perfect atmosphere with a single tap. The update brings four new music modes: Wellbeing, Chill, Productivity, and Sleep. Each of these toggles is linked to a default Apple Music playlist but can be customized with any playlist from your library.

This feature can be added to the Control Center, assigned to the Action button, or placed on the Lock Screen, allowing seamless access to mood-enhancing music anytime.

New emoji

iOS 18.4 expands the emoji collection with seven new additions, including a face with bags under eyes, fingerprint, leafless tree, root vegetable, harp, shovel, and splatter. While Apple’s Genmoji allows users to create custom emojis, these new additions still offer fresh ways to express emotions and ideas.

Apple News+ Food

A brand-new section in the Apple News app, Apple News+ Food, aggregates thousands of curated recipes from leading publishers. The feature includes advanced filtering options, a step-by-step cook mode, and the ability to save recipes for offline access. With daily updates, this platform is set to become an essential tool for cooking enthusiasts.

iOS 18.4 might not be the biggest update, but it brings useful enhancements to notifications, entertainment, and personalization. As Apple continues refining its operating system, these changes make the iPhone experience even more intuitive and enjoyable.