When you believe you have figured out every trick your iPhone has to offer, iOS 18.4 comes with a new set of features that actually improve your iPhone experience.
This current update addresses the persistent issue of notification overload, improves Apple’s AI services with simpler access points, and adds considerate conveniences. As of this writing, it is accessible as a public beta. New features and useful enhancements are balanced in iOS 18.4’s features.
iOS 18.4 demonstrates how even little improvements in between major releases can greatly improve your iPhone experience, from fully controlling app downloads to reprogramming your Action button for smarter AI access.
Let’s explore the new features that iOS 18.4 offers your iPhone and how to utilize them to their fullest.
- Apple Intelligence is easily accessible
AI-powered features are now more accessible than ever on compatible iPhones thanks to iOS 18.4’s introduction of a dedicated Apple Intelligence section in the Control Center.
This new section offers quick access to Visual Intelligence and Talk to Siri, as well as the Type to Siri feature that was previously hidden away somewhere.
To set this up, just open your Control Center (swipe down from the top-right on more recent iPhone models) and long-press until the icons begin to move.
Next, to add Visual Intelligence to your Control Center for easy access, tap the plus icon, scroll down to the Apple Intelligence & Siri section, and choose Visual Intelligence.
- Customize your notification priorities
One of the most annoying aspects of smartphone ownership is notification overload, which diverts your focus all the time.
iOS 18.4’s new Priority Notifications feature helps sort through the confusion. When activated, your essential notifications show up in a separate area on the Lock Screen, allowing you to quickly see what’s most important.
Go to Settings, Notifications, Prioritize notifications, and turn this feature on by toggling it on. Next, choose which app alerts you would like to see in the priority section.
- Visual Intelligence and the Action button
Users of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 can now set up the Action button to start Apple’s object recognition tool, Visual Intelligence.
Owners of iPhone 15 Pros without the separate Camera Control button present on iPhone 16 models will find this especially helpful.
On supported devices, choose Action Button under Settings to configure this. Choose Visual Intelligence as your desired action after looking through the available alternatives until you find it.
Once set up, all you have to do is point your camera and hit the Action button to recognize nearby objects.
Two options will be presented to you. While Ask allows you to ask specific questions that ChatGPT will try to answer about what you’re looking at, Search conducts a regular online search about the object.
- Pause your downloads
The ability of iOS 18.4 to pause app downloads straight from the App Store’s update list is a useful enhancement.
In the past, accessing pause controls required either halting an installation entirely or awkwardly pressing the app icon on your Home Screen.
The new feature provides more intuitive control over when to install apps, and it works for both new downloads and updates. All you need to do during the downloading process is hit the pause button.
When you have limited bandwidth and need to prioritize certain downloads or want to temporarily stop massive updates, this is especially useful.
- Examine Vision Pro content
Once iOS 18.4 is updated, owners of Vision Pro headsets will see a special companion app installed automatically.
Without using the headset, you may browse and download Vision Pro content directly from your iPhone with this new app.
Along with the ability to remotely install Vision Pro apps, the app has sections specifically designed for immersive videos and 3D movies.
A user manual and helpful advice are also included in the My Vision Pro section to assist users get the most out of mixed reality.
Before beginning their next VR session, users of Vision Pro may effortlessly arrange and prepare their content with the help of this companion app.