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iOS 26.4 is a big update with plenty of new features<\/a> for Apple Music, Podcasts, CarPlay, and more. The software is currently available in beta, here\u2019s when to expect its public launch.<\/p>\n iOS 26.4 expected to launch in late March for all users<\/p>\n The next big iPhone update will be iOS 26.4. And while Apple is still beta testing the update, by looking back at the history of x.4 releases, we can get a good sense of when to expect iOS 26.4\u2019s public launch.<\/p>\n Here are release dates for prior years\u2019 updates:<\/p>\n iOS 18.4: Monday, March 31<\/p>\n iOS 17.4: Tuesday, March 5<\/p>\n iOS 16.4: Monday, March 27<\/p>\n iOS 15.4: Monday, March 14<\/p>\n Apple has clearly been consistent with the release month, sticking with March for the last several years. As a result, iOS 26.4 is highly likely to launch in March too.<\/p>\n But if we want to narrow the release window further, it\u2019s helpful to consider Apple\u2019s beta release dates too.<\/p>\n The first betas for iOS 18.4 and 16.4 debuted in mid-to-late February. Beta testing for iOS 17.4 and 15.4, meanwhile, started sooner\u2014in late January.<\/p>\n So the updates that launched in late March began beta testing in February, while the early March launches shipped their first betas in January.<\/p>\n The first iOS 26.4 beta arrived last week<\/a> on February 16, following the trend of iOS 18.4 and 16.4.<\/p>\n Thus, iOS 26.4\u2019s public release date is expected to be in late March.<\/p>\n Apple has already shipped two betas, so it\u2019s possible the testing cycle will move faster and we\u2019ll see a release in mid-March instead. One way or another though, we\u2019re likely just a few weeks away from the public iOS 26.4 launch.<\/p>\n New features coming in iOS 26.4<\/p>\n Apple\u2019s last software update, iOS 26.3, was light on new features. But iOS 26.4 offers a lot more<\/a> for iPhone users to enjoy.<\/p>\n New features include:<\/p>\n Apple Music has five new features<\/a>, like the AI Playlist Playground tool, new design for albums and playlists, concert info, and more<\/p>\n Apple Podcasts gains<\/a> an enhanced, modernized video experience<\/p>\n CarPlay introduces support<\/a> for AI chatbot apps and video playback<\/p>\n Health app adds<\/a> new Sleep and Vitals data<\/p>\n Freeform gets<\/a> Apple Creator Studio-exclusive features<\/p>\n Reminders has<\/a> a new \u2018Urgent\u2019 smart list<\/p>\n Wallpaper gallery has been revamped<\/a><\/p>\n The iOS 26.4 beta also lets users test<\/a> end-to-end encryption for RCS, but Apple says that feature won\u2019t ship to all users until a future iOS update.<\/p>\n Which new iOS 26.4 features are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments.<\/p>\n Best iPhone accessories<\/p>\n \t\t FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ios-26-4-apple-music-new-features.jpg\")
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