Apple has officially released iOS 26.4 Developer Beta 4, bringing a mix of new features, accessibility improvements, and system optimizations as the update moves closer to its public release.
While this beta doesn’t introduce massive changes, it includes several notable updates such as new emoji, accessibility controls, and Apple Music enhancements. Here are the five most important features in iOS 26.4 Beta 4.
1. New Emoji Characters
One of the most visible additions in iOS 26.4 Developer Beta 4 is a new batch of emoji characters based on the latest Unicode update.
Some of the new emoji include:
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Trombone
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Treasure Chest
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Distorted Face
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Orca
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Bigfoot / Sasquatch
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Landslide
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Fight Cloud
In total, Apple has added more than 160 new emoji variations, including different skin tone combinations. These will become available to all users once the final version of iOS 26.4 launches.
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2. New “Reduce Bright Effects” Accessibility Setting
Apple continues to improve accessibility in iOS.
A new Reduce Bright Effects option has been added under:
Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size
This feature reduces intense visual highlights and bright UI effects across the system, creating a softer and more comfortable viewing experience, especially for users sensitive to strong light or motion effects.
3. Changes to RCS Messaging
Earlier iOS 26.4 beta versions briefly tested end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging.
However, in Beta 4, Apple appears to have removed this feature temporarily. This likely means the company is still refining the technology before reintroducing it in a future update.
RCS messaging itself remains supported, but the enhanced encryption feature is currently absent in this build.
4. Apple Music AI Playlist Improvements
Apple is continuing to expand AI-powered tools inside Apple Music.
In iOS 26.4, Apple is testing a feature called Playlist Playground, which allows users to:
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Automatically generate playlists using AI
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Discover new music based on listening habits
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Explore redesigned playlist and album interfaces
Beta 4 mainly refines and stabilizes these features introduced in earlier beta releases.
5. Additional Improvements and Optimizations
Beyond the headline features, iOS 26.4 Beta 4 also includes several smaller updates and system tweaks carried over from earlier betas.
These improvements include:
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Video podcast support in Apple Podcasts
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Stolen Device Protection enabled by default for better security
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Personal Hotspot usage tracking by device
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New Average Bedtime metric in the Health app
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General performance and stability improvements
Together, these updates make iOS 26.4 a refinement-focused release rather than a major feature upgrade.
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Shop NowiOS 26.4 Release Date
Based on Apple’s typical beta testing schedule, iOS 26.4 is expected to launch publicly in late March 2026.
Apple may release one or two more beta versions before the final Release Candidate (RC) build is delivered to developers and testers.
Supported Devices
iOS 26.4 Developer Beta 4 supports iPhone models from the iPhone 12 series and later.
Compatible devices include:
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iPhone 17 series
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iPhone 16 series
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iPhone 15 series
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iPhone 14 series
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iPhone 13 series
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iPhone 12 series
Developers can install iOS 26.4 Developer Beta 4 through the Apple Developer Program, and a public beta is expected to follow soon.
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