After Apple released iOS 26.3 last week, we were anticipating the first beta release of iOS 26.4 with bated breath. That’s because rumors for the better part of a year have pointed to this update as the one to bring the revamped Siri that has been expected since 2024. It turns out there’s no new Siri at all in the 26.4 updates, and now we question if the features that were “pushed back” to 26.5 are even going to come then. We may get no new Siri at all until the OS 27 updates this fall.

Still, 26.4 seems like it should be a larger-than-usual update with several new features that aren’t Siri related.

Update March 18: The release candidate for iOS 26.4 is out now. The wide release is expected next week.

iOS 26.4 release notes

Apple’s release notes for iOS 26.4 are as follows:

Apple Music
– Playlist Playground (beta) generates a playlist from your description, complete with a title, description, and tracklist
– Concerts helps you discover nearby shows from artists in your library and recommends new artists based on what you listen to
– Offline Music Recognition in Control Center identifies songs without an internet connection and delivers results automatically when you’re back online
– Ambient Music widget for Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing brings curated playlists to the Home Screen
– Full screen backgrounds give album and playlist pages a more immersive look

Accessibility
– Reduce bright effects setting minimizes bright flashes when tapping on elements like buttons
– Subtitle and caption settings are available from the captions icon while viewing media, making them easier to find, customize, and preview
– Reduce Motion setting more reliably reduces the animations of Liquid Glass for users sensitive to on screen motion

This update also includes the following enhancements:
– 8 new emoji including an orca, trombone, landslide, ballet dancer, and distorted face are available in the emoji keyboard
– Freeform gains advanced image creation and editing tools, and a premium content library, joining Apple Creator Studio
– Mark reminders as urgent from the Quick Toolbar or by touching and holding, and filter for urgent reminders in your Smart Lists
– Purchase Sharing lets adult members in Family Sharing groups use their own payment method when making purchases, without relying on the family organizer
– Improved keyboard accuracy when typing quickly

iOS 26.4 beta: How to install the public beta

If you want to test the iOS 26 beta releases but are not a registered developer, follow these steps:

1. Click Sign Up on the Apple Beta page and register with your Apple ID.
2. Log in to the Beta Software Program.
3. Click Enroll your iOS device.
4. Open the Settings app, tap General, then Software Update.
5. In the Beta Updates section, select the iOS Public Beta.

It may take a few moments after registering for the beta option to appear in Software Update.

iOS 26.4 beta: How to install the developer beta

You’ll need to be registered as an Apple developer, but a free developer account will do. You can get one via Xcode or the Apple Developer app in iOS. Here’s how to do it via the Apple Developer app:

1. Download the Apple Developer App from the App Store.
2. Open the app.
3. Tap on Account.
4. Sign in using your usual Apple ID.

Find out everything you need to know about iOS 26 in our iOS 26 superguide.