Apple today released iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4the latest updates to the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 operating systems. The new software comes six weeks after Apple released iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3.
The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
iOS 26.4 adds a new Apple Music feature called Playlist Playgroundwhich uses AI to generate playlists for you based on text-based prompts. You can ask for moodsfeelingsoccasionsand more when making a request.
The update also has new emoji charactersa useful change to payment methods for Purchase Sharing in family groupsand much more. Apple's notes for the update are below.
Apple Music
- Playlist Playground (beta) generates a playlist from your descriptioncomplete with a titledescriptionand tracklist
- Concerts helps you discover nearby shows from artists in your library and recommends new artists based on what you listen to
- Offline Music Recognition in Control Center identifies songs without an internet connection and delivers results automatically when you're back online
- Ambient Music widget for SleepChillProductivityand Wellbeing brings curated playlists to the Home Screen
- Full screen backgrounds give album and playlist pages a more immersive lookAccessibility
- Reduce bright effects setting minimizes bright flashes when tapping on elements like buttons
- Subtitle and caption settings are available from the captions icon while viewing mediamaking them easier to findcustomizeand preview
- Reduce Motion setting more reliably reduces the animations of Liquid Glass for users sensitive to on screen motionThis update also includes the following enhancements:
- 8 new emoji including an orcatrombonelandslideballet dancerand distorted face are available in the emoji keyboard
- Freeform gains advanced image creation and editing toolsand a premium content libraryjoining Apple Creator Studio
- Mark reminders as urgent from the Quick Toolbar or by touching and holdingand filter for urgent reminders in your Smart Lists
- Purchase Sharing lets adult members in Family Sharing groups use their own payment method when making purchaseswithout relying on the family organizer
- Improved keyboard accuracy when typing quicklyFor information on the security content of Apple software updatesplease visit:
https://support.apple.com/100100Some features may not be available in all regions or on all iPhone models. To learn moreplease visit: https://www.apple.com/ios/feature-availability/.
Software updateslike this oneadd new features and improvements that may affect performance and/or battery life. To learn moreplease visit:
https://support.apple.com/125039
We should be getting iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 betas in the near futureperhaps as soon as this week.
