iOS 26.4 beta is out with no sign of the new Siri
Summary created by Smart Answers AI
In summary:
- Macworld reports that the iOS 26.4 beta launched without the expected new Siri, despite several notable updates across the Apple ecosystem.
- Key features include RCS end-to-end encryption for Android messaging, an enhanced video podcast experience, and AI-generated Apple Music playlists.
- The update appears to be important for security with default stolen device protection and productivity improvements thanks to Freeform’s Creator Studio enhancement.
After Apple released iOS 26.3 last week, we have been eagerly awaiting the first beta of iOS 26.4. Indeed, for most of the year, rumors indicated that this update would be the one that would bring the revamped Siri that had been expected since 2024. However, after a rumor last week significantly dampened those expectations, it appears that iOS 26.4 will be another minor update as Apple continues to tweak Siri.
iOS 26.4 beta: New features
We won’t know all the new features and changes to expect in iOS 26.4 until the final version is released to users at the end of March or at Aoril. We’ll update this section with new features as we discover them.
New video podcast experience: Apple announced that iOS 26.4 will enable HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) technology in the Podcast app to “seamlessly switch between watching and listening to shows.”
End-to-end RCS encryption: It’s taken about a year, but Apple will finally encrypt RCS messages to and from Android phones in iOS 26.4.
Stolen Device Protection: The feature introduced in iOS 17.3 will now be enabled by default starting with iOS 26.4.
Free form: Apple’s whiteboard app received its Creator Studio update with new features and a new icon.
Apple Music: iOS 26.4 introduces a new interface for albums as well as automatically generated AI playlists based on prompts.
iOS 26.4 beta: how to install the public beta
If you want to test the iOS 26 betas but are not a registered developer, follow these steps:
- Click Sign Up on the Apple Beta page and sign up with your Apple ID.
- Log in to the beta software program.
- Click Enroll your iOS device.
- Open the Settings app, tap General, then Software Update.
- In the Beta Updates section, select the iOS public beta.
It may take a few moments after signing up for the beta option to appear in the software update.
iOS 26.4 beta: How to install developer beta
You’ll need to be registered as an Apple developer, but a free developer account will do the trick. You can get one through Xcode or the Apple Developer app on iOS. Here’s how to do it via the Apple Developer app:
- Download the Apple Developer app from the App Store.
- Open the app.
- Tap Account.
- Sign in using your regular Apple ID.
Find out everything you need to know about iOS 26 in our iOS 26 superguide.
