Apple’s latest update, iOS 18.4, introduces a suite of enhancements designed to improve user experience, productivity, and personalization. In this post, we’ll delve into these new features and provide step-by-step instructions on how to access and utilize them.
Update Your Device
Before exploring the new features, ensure your device is updated to iOS 18.4:
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap General.
3. Select Software Update.
4. If iOS 18.4 is available, tap Download and Install.
Priority Notifications Powered by Apple Intelligence
iOS 18.4 introduces Priority Notifications, which highlight important alerts requiring immediate attention by placing them prominently at the top of your notification stack.
How to Enable:
1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Notifications.
3. Select Prioritize Notifications.
4. Toggle the feature On.
You can also customize Priority Notifications on a per-app basis within the same settings.
Enhanced Photos App with New Filters
The Photos app now offers advanced filtering options, allowing for more efficient organization of your media.
How to Use:
1. Open the Photos app.
2. Navigate to your Library.
3. Tap the Filters icon.
4. Choose from options like Shared with You or Not in Album to display specific subsets of your photos.
Ambient Music in Control Center
iOS 18.4 adds an Ambient Music feature, providing soothing background sounds directly from the Control Center.
How to Add and Use:
1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Control Center.
3. Under More Controls, find Ambient Music.
4. Tap the + icon to add it to your Control Center.
5. Access the Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner.
6. Tap the Ambient Music icon and select from categories like Sleep, Chill, Productivity, or Wellbeing to start playback.
Integration of Robot Vacuums with Apple Home
With support for the Matter protocol, you can now control compatible robot vacuums through the Apple Home app.
How to Add Your Robot Vacuum:
1. Ensure your robot vacuum’s firmware supports Matter and is updated accordingly.
2. Open the Home app.
3. Tap the + icon.
4. Select Add Accessory.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to integrate your robot vacuum.
Once added, you can control your vacuum and include it in automations and scenes alongside other smart home devices.
New Emoji Collection
Express yourself with the latest collection of emojis introduced in iOS 18.4, including representations like a leafless tree, fingerprint, and root vegetable.
How to Access:
1. Open any app that uses the keyboard (e.g., Messages).
2. Tap the emoji icon to switch to the emoji keyboard.
3. Scroll to explore and use the new emojis in your conversations.
Safari Enhancements: Recent Searches and Connection Security Details
Safari now displays your recent searches when you tap the address bar, providing quick access to previous queries. Additionally, you can view a website’s certificate through the new Connection Security Details interface to ensure site security.
How to Manage Recent Searches:
1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap Safari.
3. Toggle Show Recent Searches On or Off according to your preference.
How to View Connection Security Details:
1. In Safari, navigate to a website.
2. Tap the lock icon in the address bar.
3. Review the site’s security certificate information.
Control Center Updates: Signal Strength Indicators
The Control Center now displays Wi-Fi and Cellular signal strength directly on their respective toggles, offering a quick glance at your connection status.
How to View:
1. Swipe down from the top-right corner to access the Control Center.
2. Observe the signal strength bars on the Wi-Fi and Cellular icons.
Podcasts Widgets for Home Screen
Enhance your Home Screen with the new Podcasts widgets, providing easy access to your Library and subscribed Shows.
How to Add:
1. Long-press on your Home Screen until the apps jiggle.
2. Tap the + icon in the top-left corner.
3. Search for Podcasts.
4. Select the Library or Shows widget and tap Add Widget.
5. Position the widget on your Home Screen and tap Done.
Passwords App: Two-Factor Authentication Countdown
The Passwords app now features a countdown circle for two-factor authentication codes, indicating when a new code will be generated.
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