Apple has launched its biggest yet iPhone software update, and as usual, it comes with thrilling new features. From new Apple Intelligence features, to smarter notifications, to ambient sounds in the control centre, here’s all you need to know about iOS 18.4:

Apple Intelligence (All iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max)

Priority notifications are now available at the top of notifications, thanks to Apple Intelligence capabilities, emphasizing critical ones for quick response. Although the majority of this operates automatically, you do get some control over which apps should have their notifications prioritised.

Sketch is now available as an additional style option in Image Playground, allowing users to create beautiful sketch drawings as part of the already existing options of Animation, and Illustration.

New music

Your iPhone can now help you to sleep, chill or improve your wellbeing with the new music feature. This new ambience music feature has nothing to do with Apple Music, so users do not need an Apple Music subscription. There are four different music options to choose from, which are sleep, productivity, chill, and wellbeing.

Apple Vision Pro App

The new Apple Vision Pro app, automatically installed for users with Apple Vision Pro, helps you discover new content, spatial experiences, and quickly access information about your device.

Apple News+

Apple News+ now offers recipes from top recipe publishers, a Recipe Catalog for browsing and searching, a Cooking mode for easy step-by-step directions, and a Food section featuring restaurant stories, kitchen tips, and healthy eating, among other features.

Photo

The update includes new filters for displaying or hiding items not in an album or synced from a Mac or PC, reordering items in Media Types and Utilities collections, consistent filtering options, sorting albums by date modified, and the ability to disable “Recently Viewed” and “Recently Shared” collections in Photos Settings. Additionally, hidden photos are no longer included for import to Mac or a PC if Use Face ID is enabled in Photos settings.

Other new updates

The update introduces eight new emojis, including objects, plants, and a smiley face, in the emoji keyboard. Safari’s recent search suggestions allow quick access to previous search topics.

The setup assistant simplifies the process of creating a Child Account for a family member, enabling child-appropriate default settings if parents prefer to complete the setup later.

Users can now track favorite shows and access their most-used sections, with the addition of Apple Fitness+ Collections to Library. Homeowners will now have the ability to control matter-compatible robot vacuum cleaners in the Home app.

Apple continues to thrill users constantly with exciting updates. This is to improve their overall user experience.