iOS 26.4 is here: These innovations bring the Apple updates
Apple continues to refine Liquid Glass and rolls out features. In addition to iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other Apple devices will also receive updates.
(Image: Sebastian Trepesch / heise medien)
Update spree for Apple users: The manufacturer released version 26.4 of its operating systems iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, visionOS, and for HomePods for download on Tuesday evening. In addition to bug fixes and security improvements, the updates also bring new features to iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Among the innovations are a widget for ambient music, concert information in Apple Music, and eight new emojis from Unicode version 17.0, including Bigfoot, an orca, a trombone, and a distorted smiley face.
New features of 26.4
In accessibility settings, users can make further adjustments to the new Liquid Glass user interface: a switch allows the bright flashing that appears when certain buttons are pressed to be suppressed. Apple also promises improved keyboard accuracy when typing quickly on iPhones – the behavior of the digital keyboard has led to frequent user complaints since iOS 26.
Also new is the integration of the included whiteboard app Freeform into the Apple Creator Studio. On iPads and Macs, Safari 26.4 again offers a compact combination of tab bar and address bar.
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Adult members of a Family Sharing group receive the option to deposit their own payment method – instead of always charging the family organizer's credit card. On top of that, Apple is rounding out the options for urgent reminders, which were newly introduced with iOS 26.2. The iPhone alerts users of such to-dos with an alarm when they are due.
Features that will come later
In the beta of 26.4, Apple tested several interfaces and functions that will only be delivered later: this includes end-to-end encryption of RCS messages and support for real iOS notifications, which will also be able to support smartwatches from other manufacturers such as Garmin in the EU in the future. Manufacturers of headphones will also be able to integrate the practical device switching known from AirPods into their own products. However, Apple only allows this within EU member states.
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