iOS 26.4 Beta Tidbits: Hidden Features You May Have Missed

[MacRumors]

There is a long list of new features in the iOS 26.4 beta, many of which we highlighted yesterday, but we've since discovered several other smaller changes that Apple made in the software.

Health App

iOS 26.4 includes a new Average Bedtime metric for the sleep section of the Health app, providing a better idea of how bedtime can impact sleep quality.

Apple also updated the Vitals section of the Health app in the U.S., and now includes blood oxygen level on the line graph overview that's available each day. In iOS 26.3 and earlier versions of iOS 26, there was a section for the blood oxygen level, but the graph did not include a blood oxygen measurement.

Camera

In the Settings section of the Camera app, there is a new "Audio Zoom" option. The feature causes recorded audio to focus on the subject when the camera is zoomed while recording a video. It can be turned on or off, depending on the audio settings you prefer.

CarPlay

We found mentions of Apple TV support for CarPlay, indicating that Apple will eventually allow users to watch Apple TV content through their car's dashboard when the vehicle is not in motion.

At WWDC 2025, Apple said that it would add support for AirPlaying video content to a CarPlay display, and it appears that feature could come in the near future.

Apple Music

A song can be added to multiple playlists at the same time in the Apple Music app. In the add to playlist interface, there is a list button, and tapping it allows you to select multiple playlists at the same time.

Hotspot Data

Apple moved the location of hotspot data usage. Rather than having data usage metrics tucked away under Cellular, you'll see how much data you've used right in the Personal Hotspot section.

Live Captions

Chinese (Taiwan) is a new language option for Live Captions in the Accessibility section.

Passcode Settings

In the Face ID and Passcode section of the Settings app, when you enter a passcode to access your options, the text is now center aligned instead of left aligned.

Shortcuts

Apple added a Set Charge Limit action to the Shortcuts app. It sets a battery charge limit for the iPhone.

Read More

For more on all of the new features in iOS 26.4, we have a dedicated iOS 26.4 features guide.

Article Link: iOS 26.4 Beta Tidbits: Hidden Features You May Have Missed

 

[jz0309]

some nice additions and most importantly there will be security updates and bug fixes, so pretty much instant install upon release

 

[Apple_Robert]

I appreciate the article, @jclo Thank you. Like Jz, will install day one.

 

[Zenman12]

You guys missed the app store “change.” Search bar now at the top.

More liquid glass for contact buttons in contacts.

 

[fede777]

You guys missed the app store “change.” Search bar now at the top.

More liquid glass for contact buttons in contacts.

This one may be a bug, it's the only app that changed it's bar/search design, all the other that have 5 icons and a search button at the end remain the same as before.

 

[Zenman12]

This one may be a bug, it's the only app that changed it's bar/search design, all the other that have 5 icons and a search button at the end remain the same as before.

Who knows… a change is a change. 🤷

 

[lazyrighteye]

As these OSes continue to expand, I appreciate these entries that call out some likely missed functionality.

I immediately, before reading any further, went and disabled the Audio Zoom feature. I attend a lot of live music. I like grabbing a few moments of a show - strictly for my own enjoyment. It has been so annoying to have the audio fidelity alter when zooming in for closer shots of the band. When/if you need that capability, fantastic. But when you don’t? So glad there’s now an option to disable. Approved!

 

[fatTribble]

I really enjoy these types of articles. Maybe to some people a particular feature is minor, but to others it may be a big upgrade.

 

[Cape Dave]

Hidden "tidbits" in this trainwreck of an OS, yeah, like who cares? Not me, for sure.

 

[itsmaxk]

App Store Updates have been moved.
After opening the user account page, there's now a link to "Updates"

 

[d5aqoëp]

App Store Updates have been moved.
After opening the user account page, there's now a link to "Updates"

This is my favourite. 1 extra additional step to update your apps.

 

[kalafalas]

Omg I have hated the audio zoom “feature” since its inception! Destroys my concert footage. I’m updating right now to turn this off!

 

[eveluvsrainbows]

Hidden "tidbits" in this trainwreck of an OS, yeah, like who cares? Not me, for sure.

Lol, its not a trainwreck, but okay. Also, why post if you are just going to be incredibly negative?

 

[Skylar.]

Apple Music

A song can be added to multiple playlists at the same time in the Apple Music app. In the add to playlist interface, there is a list button, and tapping it allows you to select multiple playlists at the same time.

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One of my biggest gripes about Apple Music. I'm so glad this is finally here.

 

[It’s always something]

App Store Updates have been moved.
After opening the user account page, there's now a link to "Updates"

What a terrible thing to do to us. ☹️

 

[svish]

Small changes. The audio zoom setting for camera will be useful.

 

[Apple_Robert]

App Store Updates have been moved.
After opening the user account page, there's now a link to "Updates"

Does this completely remove the ability to swipe down and briefly hold one’s account icon to get the update wheel moving, or is it still available as well?

 

[lmddawson]

Is the ability to customise how captions look new?

 

[boswald]

Lol, its not a trainwreck, but okay. Also, why post if you are just going to be incredibly negative?

Sadly it's the status quo around here lately. 🙁

 

[klasma]

Apple added a Set Charge Limit action to the Shortcuts app. It sets a battery charge limit for the iPhone.

I don’t understand why there isn’t just automatically a Shortcut action for every setting in Settings.

 

[JokoWidodo]

Omg I have hated the audio zoom “feature” since its inception! Destroys my concert footage. I’m updating right now to turn this off!

How does it destroy footage ?

 

[deuxani]

App Store Updates have been moved.
After opening the user account page, there's now a link to "Updates"

Wow, Apple really doesn’t want you to update apps, do they 🙉 Automatic app updates have barely worked for me (if it works it’s maybe a month after release or so), so I always update apps manually. Next to the fact that I enjoy getting new functionality and like to read what devs have released. Now the flow will be Open App Store > Click Account > Click Updates > Update All. Ridiculous!

 

[bluecoast]

I appreciate that Apple is sweating the little details here.

I also hope that a rethink of Liquid Glass is coming with iOS 27.

I’m using tinted and it’s still quite distracting.

Apple could fairly easily fix this by adding an ‘opaque’ option.

Increasingly I’m feeling that Liquid Glass is a clumsy move.

It’s like a 60 year old guy who buys a Porsche and thinks that women 30 years younger than him now find him attractive & ‘cool’.

 

[fede777]

You can always tap and hold the app store icon and hit updates on the context menu, it's faster.

 

[buddhistMonkey]

The most important change of all is coming in macOS 26.4, and I've been waiting decades: a trombone emoji! So exciting, we'll soon be able to have a proper emoji horn section. 🎺🎷__