Apple has released iOS 26.4 beta 1 to developers, introducing updates to Messages, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, Reminders, and system security features ahead of a broader public rollout in the coming weeks.
The update carries build number 23E5207q and is currently available through the developer beta channel via the Software Update section in Settings, with a public beta expected soon and general release in the Spring.
Messages, Music and Podcasts updates
iOS 26.4 adds support for testing encrypted RCS messaging, although the feature currently applies only to iPhone-to-iPhone communication rather than general cross-platform messaging.
Apple has also upgraded the Apple Podcasts app with expanded video playback controls that make switching between video and audio modes more seamless during supported podcast sessions.
iOS 26.4 also enables dynamic video advertisements within Apple Podcasts, reflecting a wider industry shift toward integrated monetisation models across streaming and on-demand media services.
Apple Music now displays refreshed full-screen artwork for select albums and playlists, reinforcing Apple’s broader design language that prioritises immersive visuals across its core media applications.
The Music app also introduces concert discovery features that highlight nearby tour dates for artists saved in a user’s library, integrating live event visibility directly into the streaming experience.
Apple has redesigned the Profile interface within Apple Music and extended similar layout changes to the App Store, Apple Podcasts, and Apple TV, creating a more unified navigation structure across its ecosystem of services.
A new Apple Intelligence feature called Playlist Playground allows users to generate playlists using text descriptions or preset prompts, expanding AI-assisted curation within the Music app.
System and security changes
iOS 26.4 introduces a redesigned Wallpaper Gallery with clearer category separation and faster responsiveness, following similar interface changes previously implemented in watchOS.
The Reminders app now includes a Smart List for tasks marked as “Urgent,” building on functionality introduced in iOS 26.2 that adds alarms for high-priority items.
A new Home Screen widget surfaces ambient Apple Music playlists directly on the main interface, allowing faster access to background listening without navigating through the full application.
Stolen Device Protection is now enabled by default in iOS 26.4, requiring biometric authentication away from trusted locations and adding a timed secondary verification for sensitive actions.
Apple has not announced a final release date for iOS 26.4, but the beta suggests a feature-rich update that will roll out more widely once testing concludes, likely in the Spring.
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