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Everything New in iOS 18.4 Beta 2

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Apr 12, 2001
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Apple released iOS 18.4 beta 2 today, and it has even more new features than the first beta of iOS 18.4. There are updated emoji characters, a new app, and a bunch of other, smaller additions.

iOS-18.4-Apple-Intelligence-Color-Palette-Feature.jpg

New Emoji

There are new emoji characters in iOS 18.4, including bags under eyes, fingerprint, leafless tree, root vegetable, harp, shovel, and splatter.

iOS-18.4-Emoji-Feature.jpg


Prioritize Notifications

In beta 1, Apple added a Prioritize Notifications feature. In beta 2, Priority Notifications can be set up on a per-app basis, and it is no longer an all on or all off setting. Priority Notifications are highlighted in a separate section on the Lock Screen, so you see them first.

ios-18-4-prioritize-notifications.jpg

Apple uses Apple Intelligence to determine which notifications are important and should be shown with the priority label, but you can still swipe up to see all of your notifications in Notification Center.

Vision Pro App

If you have a Vision Pro headset, you'll see a Vision Pro app on your iPhone after installing iOS 18.4. The Vision Pro app helps you discover and download content on the Vision Pro.

vision-pro-app.jpg

There are dedicated sections for Immersive Video, 3D movies, and more, with options to download apps directly to the Vision Pro without having to use the headset.

Apple also added a dedicated My Vision Pro section with a user guide and tips for using the device.

Control Center Apple Intelligence Section

In the Control Center, there's now an Apple Intelligence section. It includes the Type to Siri option that was in the now-removed Siri section, along with new options for activating Siri and using Visual Intelligence.

ios-18-4-control-center-apple-intelligence.jpg


Visual Intelligence Action Button

Apple added a new Action Button option that activates Visual Intelligence, and it can be used as an alternative to the Camera Control button for Visual Intelligence on the iPhone 16 models.

ios-18-4-visual-intelligence-action-button.jpg

Visual Intelligence for iPhone 15 Pro Models

Visual Intelligence is now available on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, marking the first time that Apple has made the feature available on an iPhone that's not an iPhone 16.

Apple-Visual-Intelligence.jpg


Since the iPhone 15 Pro models do not have a Camera Control button, Visual Intelligence can be activated via the Control Center or with the Action Button.

Pause App Store Downloads

When you download an app from the App Store, you can now pause the download right from the update list in the App Store rather than having to do it from the Home Screen icon for the app. Before now, you could only stop and restart an installation entirely from the App Store, with no option for stopping it entirely.

ios-18-4-app-store-pause-download.jpg

Pausing and resuming works for both new downloads and app updates.

Shortcuts Actions

There are multiple new actions for Apple apps in the Shortcuts app, most of which are for changing app settings.

ios-18-4-safari-settings.jpg

In Maps, for example, there are actions for things like avoid busy roads, avoid tolls, volume level, directions on radio, and more. In Safari, you can use AutoFill information, toggle on pop-up blocking, close tabs, change search engine, and change the tab bar configuration, among other options.

There are Settings actions for Maps, Safari, Reminders, Calendar, Apple TV, Books, Notes, Voice Memos, and Weather.

Photos

The Recently Deleted section of the Photos app now has one-tap options to delete all photos and to recover all photos.

ios-18-4-deleted-album.jpg

Wallet

In the Wallet app, there is a new menu that includes Orders, Settings, and Subscriptions and Payments. It can be accessed by tapping on the three dots in the upper right corner, which used to be just for package tracking.

ios-18-4-wallet-app.jpg

Apple Maps EV Updates

Based on code in iOS 18.4, it looks like Apple plans to add support for using the North American Charging System (NACS) with the Apple Maps EV routing option. Apple Maps EV routing is only supported by a couple of Ford models and the Porsche Taycan, so it's limited.

On those vehicles, there should soon be an option to route to NACS chargers in addition to CCS charging stations. Tesla Superchargers are NACS chargers, for example, but right now the Apple Maps EV feature does not support them.

iPhone 16e Support

iPhone 16e users can download and install the iOS 18.4 beta starting with beta 2, as Apple has added iPhone 16e support.

iPhone 12 Support

With iOS 18.4 beta 1, the update was bricking some iPhone 12 models, so Apple pulled it. That prevented anyone with an iPhone 12 from installing the beta. With beta 2, Apple has fixed the issue, so iOS 18.4 is once again available on the iPhone 12.

There is also now an iPadOS 18.4 beta 2 update available for iPads that had the same issue, including the eighth-generation iPad, fourth-generation iPad Air, and all M2 iPad Air models.

Release Date

iOS 18.4 will be released... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: Everything New in iOS 18.4 Beta 2
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/03/03/ios-18-4-beta-2-features/
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I know tech news is pretty dry but come on… the red are all combined into green, pretty redundant.
 

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MacRumors said:


Apple released iOS 18.4 beta 2 today, and it has even more new features than the first beta of iOS 18.4. There are updated emoji characters, a new app, and a bunch of other, smaller additions.

Shortcuts Actions

In Maps, for example, there are actions for things like avoid busy roads, avoid tolls, volume level, directions on radio, and more. In Safari, you can use AutoFill information, toggle on pop-up blocking, close tabs, change search engine, and change the tab bar configuration, among other options.
Click to expand...
Is there an option or Shortcuts to use carpool lanes? Directions get confused since carpool lanes in CA frequently have different routes. Of course the added problem of GPS accuracy which can't be sure which lane you're in. And some carpool lanes are pay or 2 or 3 or more people.
 
iSuzan said:
Yes, same here. New Siri animation is gone.
Click to expand...
It might take a long time to finish background processing. On my phone the AI models have been re-downloaded.
Nevertheless I did the workaround: change system and Siri language, restart, change both settings back to German and restart again. It then took again a while in the background but the new Siri animation works again.
 
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Reeneman said:
It might take a long time to finish background processing. On my phone the AI models have been re-downloaded.
Nevertheless I did the workaround: change system and Siri language, restart, change both settings back to German and restart again. It then took again a while in the background but the new Siri animation works again.
Click to expand...
That workaround didnt work for me. But I did find a workaround what works for me: Add the new “type to Siri” button to control center and tap on it. Now the new Siri animation is back and I can type to Siri when double tapping the navigation bar again.
 
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Can I have the alarm to play a spotify playlist or radio station?.
Can I edit a misstyped number in the dialpad?.
Can detect, warn me and intelligently reduce the CPU usage of apps like whatsapp that consume waaaaaaaaaay to much power when on foregroud?.
Basically Appke i telligence is a emoji AI creatorr. So advanced, revolutionary and must have OS...
 
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re: Pause App Store Downloads - This is amazing! I was curious if this also applies to off-load apps.
 
I had anticipated that Apple would add a "close all" feature for apps in the latest beta, but perhaps that will come with iOS 19. Who knows?
 
MacRumors said:


Apple released iOS 18.4 beta 2 today, and it has even more new features than the first beta of iOS 18.4. There are updated emoji characters, a new app, and a bunch of other, smaller additions.

iOS-18.4-Apple-Intelligence-Color-Palette-Feature.jpg

New Emoji

There are new emoji characters in iOS 18.4, including bags under eyes, fingerprint, leafless tree, root vegetable, harp, shovel, and splatter.

iOS-18.4-Emoji-Feature.jpg


Prioritize Notifications

In beta 1, Apple added a Prioritize Notifications feature. In beta 2, Priority Notifications can be set up on a per-app basis, and it is no longer an all on or all off setting. Priority Notifications are highlighted in a separate section on the Lock Screen, so you see them first.

ios-18-4-prioritize-notifications.jpg

Apple uses Apple Intelligence to determine which notifications are important and should be shown with the priority label, but you can still swipe up to see all of your notifications in Notification Center.

Vision Pro App

If you have a Vision Pro headset, you'll see a Vision Pro app on your iPhone after installing iOS 18.4. The Vision Pro app helps you discover and download content on the Vision Pro.

vision-pro-app.jpg

There are dedicated sections for Immersive Video, 3D movies, and more, with options to download apps directly to the Vision Pro without having to use the headset.

Apple also added a dedicated My Vision Pro section with a user guide and tips for using the device.

Control Center Apple Intelligence Section

In the Control Center, there's now an Apple Intelligence section. It includes the Type to Siri option that was in the now-removed Siri section, along with new options for activating Siri and using Visual Intelligence.

ios-18-4-control-center-apple-intelligence.jpg


Visual Intelligence Action Button

Apple added a new Action Button option that activates Visual Intelligence, and it can be used as an alternative to the Camera Control button for Visual Intelligence on the iPhone 16 models.

ios-18-4-visual-intelligence-action-button.jpg

Visual Intelligence for iPhone 15 Pro Models

Visual Intelligence is now available on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, marking the first time that Apple has made the feature available on an iPhone that's not an iPhone 16.

Apple-Visual-Intelligence.jpg


Since the iPhone 15 Pro models do not have a Camera Control button, Visual Intelligence can be activated via the Control Center or with the Action Button.

Pause App Store Downloads

When you download an app from the App Store, you can now pause the download right from the update list in the App Store rather than having to do it from the Home Screen icon for the app. Before now, you could only stop and restart an installation entirely from the App Store, with no option for stopping it entirely.

ios-18-4-app-store-pause-download.jpg

Pausing and resuming works for both new downloads and app updates.

Shortcuts Actions

There are multiple new actions for Apple apps in the Shortcuts app, most of which are for changing app settings.

ios-18-4-safari-settings.jpg

In Maps, for example, there are actions for things like avoid busy roads, avoid tolls, volume level, directions on radio, and more. In Safari, you can use AutoFill information, toggle on pop-up blocking, close tabs, change search engine, and change the tab bar configuration, among other options.

There are Settings actions for Maps, Safari, Reminders, Calendar, Apple TV, Books, Notes, Voice Memos, and Weather.

Photos

The Recently Deleted section of the Photos app now has one-tap options to delete all photos and to recover all photos.

ios-18-4-deleted-album.jpg

Wallet

In the Wallet app, there is a new menu that includes Orders, Settings, and Subscriptions and Payments. It can be accessed by tapping on the three dots in the upper right corner, which used to be just for package tracking.

ios-18-4-wallet-app.jpg

Apple Maps EV Updates

Based on code in iOS 18.4, it looks like Apple plans to add support for using the North American Charging System (NACS) with the Apple Maps EV routing option. Apple Maps EV routing is only supported by a couple of Ford models and the Porsche Taycan, so it's limited.

On those vehicles, there should soon be an option to route to NACS chargers in addition to CCS charging stations. Tesla Superchargers are NACS chargers, for example, but right now the Apple Maps EV feature does not support them.

iPhone 16e Support

iPhone 16e users can download and install the iOS 18.4 beta starting with beta 2, as Apple has added iPhone 16e support.

iPhone 12 Support

With iOS 18.4 beta 1, the update was bricking some iPhone 12 models, so Apple pulled it. That prevented anyone with an iPhone 12 from installing the beta. With beta 2, Apple has fixed the issue, so iOS 18.4 is once again available on the iPhone 12.

There is also now an iPadOS 18.4 beta 2 update available for iPads that had the same issue, including the eighth-generation iPad, fourth-generation iPad Air, and all M2 iPad Air models.

Release Date

iOS 18.4 will be released... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: Everything New in iOS 18.4 Beta 2
Click to expand...
Hopefully, it’s more stable than beta one – which was crashing until I turned “intelligence“ off.
 
Glad to see Visual Intelligence on 15 Pro. Ability to pause downloads from app store will be quite useful. Had to re download some large apps from the beginning sometimes in the past.
 
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