Apple releases iOS 26.4 RC for iPhone with upcoming features

The first iOS 26.4 release candidate is now available. iOS 26.4 includes a number of exciting new features and changes, including new emoji and AI-powered Apple Music updates.

Changes that we’ve seen coming in iOS 26.4 so far include:

• redesigned Apple Music album and playlist views
• AI-powered “Playlist Playground” Apple Music feature
• per-device Personal Hotspot data usage reports
• 8 new emoji characters
• and much more.

Apple is also testing end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging and an enhanced video podcast experience. iOS 26.4 enables Stolen Device Detection by default, and iOS 26’s CarPlay video support is seeing progress. 

Apple highlights 13 enhancements coming to your iPhone in the iOS 26.4 release notes.