iOS 26.4 release date: Here’s when to expect new iPhone features

iOS 26.4 is a big update with plenty of new features for Apple Music, Podcasts, CarPlay, and more. The software is currently available in beta, here’s when to expect its public launch.

iOS 26.4 expected to launch in late March for all users

The next big iPhone update will be iOS 26.4. And while Apple is still beta testing the update, by looking back at the history of x.4 releases, we can get a good sense of when to expect iOS 26.4’s public launch.

Here are release dates for prior years’ updates:

• iOS 18.4: Monday, March 31
• iOS 17.4: Tuesday, March 5
• iOS 16.4: Monday, March 27
• iOS 15.4: Monday, March 14

Apple has clearly been consistent with the release month, sticking with March for the last several years. As a result, iOS 26.4 is highly likely to launch in March too.

But if we want to narrow the release window further, it’s helpful to consider Apple’s beta release dates too.

The first betas for iOS 18.4 and 16.4 debuted in mid-to-late February. Beta testing for iOS 17.4 and 15.4, meanwhile, started sooner—in late January.

So the updates that launched in late March began beta testing in February, while the early March launches shipped their first betas in January.

The first iOS 26.4 beta arrived last week on February 16, following the trend of iOS 18.4 and 16.4.

Thus, iOS 26.4’s public release date is expected to be in late March.

Apple has already shipped two betas, so it’s possible the testing cycle will move faster and we’ll see a release in mid-March instead. One way or another though, we’re likely just a few weeks away from the public iOS 26.4 launch.

New features coming in iOS 26.4

Apple’s last software update, iOS 26.3, was light on new features. But iOS 26.4 offers a lot more for iPhone users to enjoy.

New features include:

• Apple Music has five new features, like the AI Playlist Playground tool, new design for albums and playlists, concert info, and more
• Apple Podcasts gains an enhanced, modernized video experience
• CarPlay introduces support for AI chatbot apps and video playback
• Health app adds new Sleep and Vitals data
• Freeform gets Apple Creator Studio-exclusive features
• Reminders has a new ‘Urgent’ smart list
• Wallpaper gallery has been revamped

The iOS 26.4 beta also lets users test end-to-end encryption for RCS, but Apple says that feature won’t ship to all users until a future iOS update.

Which new iOS 26.4 features are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments.

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