iOS 26.4 is out now with AI playlists, new emojis, and more

After Apple released iOS 26.3 week, we were anticipating the first beta release of iOS 26.4 with bated breath. That’s because rumors for the better part of a year have pointed to this update as the one to bring the revamped Siri that has been expected since 2024. It turns out there’s no new Siri at all in the 26.4 updates, and now we question if the features that were “pushed back” to 26.5 are even going to come at that time. We may get no new Siri at all until the OS 27 updates this fall.

Still, 26.4 is a significant update with several new features that aren’t Siri related.

Update March 24: iOS 26.4 has been released to the general public.

iOS 26.4 release notes

Apple’s release notes for iOS 26.4 are as follows:

Apple Music
– Playlist Playground (beta) generates a playlist from your description, complete with a title, description, and tracklist
– Concerts helps you discover nearby shows from artists in your library and recommends new artists based on what you listen to
– Offline Music Recognition in Control Center identifies songs without an internet connection and delivers results automatically when you’re back online
– Ambient Music widget for Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing brings curated playlists to the Home Screen
– Full screen backgrounds give album and playlist pages a more immersive look

Accessibility
– Reduce bright effects setting minimizes bright flashes when tapping on elements like buttons
– Subtitle and caption settings are available from the captions icon while viewing media, making them easier to find, customize, and preview
– Reduce Motion setting more reliably reduces the animations of Liquid Glass for users sensitive to on screen motion

This update also includes the following enhancements:
– 8 new emoji including an orca, trombone, landslide, ballet dancer, and distorted face are available in the emoji keyboard
– Freeform gains advanced image creation and editing tools, and a premium content library, joining Apple Creator Studio
– Mark reminders as urgent from the Quick Toolbar or by touching and holding, and filter for urgent reminders in your Smart Lists
– Purchase Sharing lets adult members in Family Sharing groups use their own payment method when making purchases, without relying on the family organizer
– Improved keyboard accuracy when typing quickly

iiOS 26.4: How to install

Your iPhone will eventually prompt you to install iOS 26.4, but that can take a while, even if you have “Automatic Updates” turned on. To get it now, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap Software Update.
4. Make sure you have the intended version of iOS selected if necessary, and follow the on-screen instructions.

Find out everything you need to know about iOS 26 in our iOS 26 superguide.