iOS 26.4 Beta 1: Apple Intelligence, Anti-Theft & RCS Encryption News

Apple has released the first beta of iOS 26.4 to developers, introducing a significant redesign to Apple Music and a new layer of automatic security for iPhones. The update, anticipated for public release in late March or early April, also includes improvements to Podcasts and a revamped wallpaper gallery, though the widely expected overhaul of Siri remains absent.

The most prominent change centers on Apple Music, which gains a new “Playlist Playground” feature powered by artificial intelligence. Users can generate 25-song playlists by simply describing the desired mood or genre, such as “music for a morning coffee” or “90s grunge hits.” The AI then creates a playlist, complete with a customizable title and cover art, which can be further refined with additional prompts. Currently, the feature is limited to users in the United States, with wider availability expected in future beta releases.

Beyond the AI-powered playlists, Apple Music also introduces a “Concerts Near You” section, displaying live events for artists users follow. The app also features a redesigned album and playlist view, adopting a fullscreen design where the track list background color complements the artwork, reminiscent of the aesthetic introduced in iOS 8.

Apple Podcasts receives an update enabling video playback using HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) technology. This allows creators to offer video episodes with control over monetization and adaptive playback quality based on network conditions. Users can seamlessly switch between audio and video formats and download videos for offline viewing.

A key security enhancement in iOS 26.4 is the automatic activation of the iPhone’s theft protection features. Previously optional, this protection now requires Face ID or Touch ID to access critical functions like the Password app, Lost Mode, and Safari purchases, adding a significant barrier against unauthorized access. A one-hour security delay has also been implemented for certain actions.

The update also brings end-to-end encryption for Rich Communication Services (RCS) messages, initially between iPhones. Apple is collaborating with the GSMA to extend this encryption to conversations between iPhones and Android devices in future updates, addressing a previous security gap in cross-platform messaging. Encrypted messages will be indicated by a lock icon in both iMessage and RCS.

The iOS 26.4 beta also features a redesigned wallpaper gallery, organized by categories and utilizing a download button similar to the App Store interface. This allows users to easily remove unused wallpapers and potentially opens the door for a broader range of wallpaper options in the future, possibly including third-party content. The Apple Watch’s watch face gallery receives a similar redesign.

Additional features include a new widget for ambient music playback, urgent reminders with alarms, and enhancements to the Freeform app, including access to a content hub with professional-quality graphics and AI-powered image creation tools for Creator Studio subscribers.

For users in the European Union, iOS 26.4 includes features related to the Digital Markets Act, allowing notifications to be forwarded to third-party wearables and enabling proximity-based pairing with accessories. These features were previously tested in earlier beta versions.

The iOS 26.4 Beta 1 is currently available to developers. A public beta is expected to follow within weeks. Users considering installing the beta are advised to back up their devices, as beta software may contain errors and unexpected behavior.