Apple Releases Third Beta of iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 Featuring Priority Notifications, Ambient Music, and Additional Enhancements

Apple has recently released the third beta version of its forthcoming iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 updates for developers to test. This release comes just a week after the rollout of the second beta versions, allowing developers to try out new features and provide feedback before the official launch.

Users can download the latest iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 updates directly from the Settings app on their compatible iPhones and iPads by navigating to General > Software Update.

A key feature in the iOS 18.4 update is the introduction of “Priority Notifications,” powered by Apple Intelligence. This feature aims to prioritize your notifications, identifying the most important alerts and showcasing them in a dedicated area on the Lock Screen for better visibility.

Additionally, there’s the launching of a new Apple News+ Food section for subscribers, expanding content options within the app. Among other enhancements, Apple has introduced a Sketch style in the Image Playground, allowing users to create images that resemble hand-drawn illustrations. The Apple Intelligence feature is also being expanded to support multiple languages, including French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese. Furthermore, localized English support is now available for users in Singapore and India.

Users can also look forward to a selection of new emoji characters with this update. A dedicated Vision Pro app is being made available for Vision Pro headset owners, enabling them to easily find and download content, manage their headset settings, and enhance guest experiences directly from their iPhones.

Another useful addition is Mail Categorization, which is expanding its availability to iPads, improving how users can manage their email inboxes. There will also be a new Ambient Music feature accessible through the Control Center, allowing users to play soothing music whenever needed. In addition to these notable features, several small improvements and fixes are included, with more detailed information outlined in Apple’s iOS 18.4 features guide.

Apple is aiming to officially release iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 in early April. This update is highly anticipated as it introduces several features designed to enhance user efficiency and content engagement.

In the broader context of Apple’s ongoing product lifecycle, there are also rumors regarding upcoming devices. Reports suggest that the upcoming iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 17 Pro Max will share the same dimensions, differing only in thickness. Information from notable leakers has suggested that the 17 Pro Max may be slightly thicker, which is speculated to accommodate a larger battery.

Another recent highlight is the decade anniversary of the 12-inch Retina MacBook, unveiled in 2015. This device marked an important evolution in Apple’s design philosophy, emphasizing portability and performance.

The Apple One subscription service has also seen enhancements, now including additional perks at no extra charge for users on the Premier plan. Expanding the value proposition for subscribers, this service harmonizes various Apple offerings into a single package.

With these continuous updates and devices rumored for launch, it’s clear that Apple is maintaining a strong focus on innovation, user experience, and community engagement across its platforms.