Main points
- Apple has released iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 with new emoji, AI-powered music features, and improvements to Family Sharing.
- The update includes the Playlist Playground beta feature for Apple Music, the Offline Music Recognize feature, and the new Ambient Music widget.
iOS 26.4 update is now available / Apple
Apple has started rolling out stable versions of iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4. The updates bring new emoji, AI-powered music tools, keyboard improvements, changes to Family Sharing, and a number of system app updates.
This is reported by MacRumours.
What new things did users get after the update?
Apple has released the final versions of iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4, about six weeks after the previous release. The updates have already started rolling out to compatible iPhone and iPad owners and include a number of innovations aimed at improving the user experience.
Music selection using AI
One of the key changes was the introduction of the Playlist Playground beta feature in Apple Music. It uses artificial intelligence algorithms to generate music selections based on text queries. The user can describe a mood, situation, or personal musical preferences, after which the system independently selects suitable tracks and combines them into a playlist.
Another innovation in the music part of the platform is the Offline Music Recognize feature, which has appeared in the “Control Center”. It allows you to recognize songs even without access to the Internet – the recognition results are displayed automatically after reconnecting to the network.
Additionally, users get a new Ambient Music widget for quick access to playlists for sleep, relaxation, or productivity. Album and playlist pages also get new full-screen backgrounds, making the interface more cohesive.
New emojis and photo editing capabilities
After installing the update, eight new emojis will appear on devices. Among them are a killer whale, a trombone, a snow avalanche, and other symbols.
New emojis in iOS 26.4 / Photo MacRumours
The Freeform application has expanded image editing capabilities and added integration with the Apple Creator Studio library.
Updated Family Sharing
The changes also affected the Family Sharing feature. Now adult family members can use their own payment methods for purchases, whereas previously funds were only charged to the organizer's card.
Other minor changes
The developers have also improved the accuracy of text input when typing quickly on the keyboard and added an option to reduce the brightness of animations that appear when interacting with interface elements.
In addition, the update contains other optimizations aimed at improving stability and overall system performance.
How do I install an iOS update?
iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 are rolling out now and will be available to all users of compatible devices soon. There's no need to do anything special, but you can go to System Preferences and check for updates manually.