iOS 26.4 Beta Tidbits: Hidden Features You May Have Missed

[It’s always something]

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

Nice. I didn’t know about this, so thanks!

 

[daio]

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

Have not noticed this before, but there’s a contextual search now after using Apple Intelligence to select stuff in screenshots. Is this new?

 

[kalafalas]

How does it destroy footage ?

I will switch from the telephoto lens focused on the performer to the wide lens mid-video to show the full production and the audio changes focus when I do this, sounds weird and strange.

 

[jimlat]

One of the “features” mentioned about the beta was the default setting of Stolen Device Protection…when I installed the developer beta, I did not have Stolen Device Protection enabled by default after installation…it stayed off, the way it was before the update…other experiences please?

 

[Mike Wolf]

I’m glad they finally fixed the vitals section in the health app. Hopefully it’s retroactive.

 

[yatesd]

Did they purposely only add features that no one needs or wants? IMHO pretty lame update.

 

[hsotnicam8002]

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

But to ensure that all available updates are shown you still have to pull down to refresh and then you can see them.

 

[lindros2]

This update feels more substantial than .1/.2/.3

The weird delayed/artifacts appear gone.
My 17 Pro Max felt like an iPhone 12 at times.