iOS 18.4: What’s New? Embrace the Excitement of Fresh Features!

Apple enthusiasts, rejoice! The latest update, iOS 18.4, has arrived, rolling out on March 31, 2025, and it’s packed with exciting features and enhancements that elevate your iPhone experience. From gleaming new emojis to innovations in Apple Intelligence, this update is poised to make your device even more functional and fun.

Navigating the Update: Getting Started

To bask in the glory of iOS 18.4, simply navigate to Settings > General > Software Update, tap Update Now, and follow the on-screen prompts. After that, you’re ready to explore all the exciting new features!

For a comprehensive overview of iOS 18, check out this Expert’s Guide to iOS 18.

What’s New in iOS 18.4?

With iOS 18.4, Apple delivers enhanced functionality, usability, and fun. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s included in this update:

🎉 The Latest Emoji: Express Yourself!

In a world where communication often lacks nuance, the eight new emojis added in iOS 18.4 will help you express your emotions more vividly. And how could we forget the face with bags under eyes emoji? It’s practically begging for attention!

You can find this gem and others that were part of the Unicode 16.0 unveiled by Google last September. With these new emojis, your chats and texts just became a lot more colorful!

🔔 Priority Notifications: Stay Informed Efficiently

For iPhone users with Apple Intelligence-compatible devices, iOS 18.4 introduces Priority Notifications. These notifications appear prominently on your lock screen, ensuring that important messages and alerts never get lost in the shuffle.

To enable this feature, head to Settings > Notifications > Prioritize Notifications, and customize which apps you want to prioritize. Imagine never missing that crucial email or text again!

For all the details, read What You Need to Know About Priority Notifications.

🤖 Expanding Apple Intelligence: Enhanced Access at Your Fingertips

Apple Intelligence is all about making your iPhone smarter! With the new features integrated into the Control Center, you can enjoy a more intuitive experience—now, Apple’s innovations are just a swipe away.

For your convenience, you can add controls for Talk to Siri, Type to Siri, and Visual Intelligence. This provides quick access to powerful functionalities that can make your daily tasks seamless.

Did you know? You can also configure Visual Intelligence to launch from your iPhone’s Action Button! Just go to Settings > Action Button, and you’re set!

🎵 Ambient Music: Set the Mood

Love having the perfect soundtrack while you work or relax? iOS 18.4 introduces effective controls for Ambient Music in the Control Center, featuring playlists curated for:

• Sleep
• Chill
• Productivity
• Wellbeing

Simply add these controls, choose your preferred ambient sound, and let your iPhone amplify the atmosphere! Find out more about this new feature in All the New Controls in Control Center on iOS 18.4.

📖 Culinary Adventures Await: Recipes in Apple News

The Apple News+ subscription has sweetened the deal with a new Food section, boasting delectable recipes from top culinary publishers like Food & Wine and Good Food. Subscribers can save their favorite recipes for offline access and utilize a cook mode to follow along effortlessly in the kitchen.

In the competitive world of digital cooking content, Apple is clearly ready to spice things up!

🖌️ Sketch Mode in Image Playground: Unleash Your Creativity

Together with the Emoji enhancement, iOS 18.4 introduces a Sketch art style in the Image Playground app—a delightful way to create unique artwork that captures your inspiration right on your phone.

💸 Manage Your Payments with Ease: Preauthorized Payments Menu

The new Preauthorized Payments menu in the Wallet app is a lifesaver for anyone juggling multiple subscriptions. Just tap the three dots in the upper right corner of Wallet to easily manage your subscriptions and save yourself some cash!

🌐 New Vision Pro App: Bridging the Gap

If you’re a Vision Pro headset owner, there’s a new Vision Pro app that brings you the latest spatial experiences and content. While those of us without the headset can only explore its offerings, it showcases Apple’s commitment to enriching its ecosystem.

🎧 Podcast Update: Tailor Your Listening Experience

Podcasts received an update, too! New widget options allow you to customize your home screen for easy access to shows and episodes you love. Get the most out of your Podcast experience with the new Podcast Settings and Notification Settings.

📱 Siri and Apple Intelligence: Smarter Interaction

For advanced users, Siri can now assist with navigating various applications directly within the interface. Just double-tap the bottom of your screen while in an app like Messages or Notes, and see personalized suggestions from Siri!

🌍 Expanding Accessibility: More Languages and Regions

Lastly, iOS 18.4 makes Apple Intelligence accessible to users in more languages and regions—opening the doors for a wider audience to enjoy Apple’s innovative features.

For the full update notes and detailed changes, visit Apple’s Support page.

In conclusion, iOS 18.4 is much more than just a normal update; it’s an enriching evolution of your iPhone experience that blends enhanced functionality with creativity and practicality. Don’t miss out on these features—update your device today and dive into the exciting enhancements that await!