iOS 18.4 beta 1 – 50 new changes and features [Video] – 9to5Mac

In this latest episode of iOS Decoded, 9to5Mac investigates everything new in iOS 18.4, including several new behind-the-scenes features that you may be hearing about for the first time. Included in our walkthrough is a full hands-on look at the new proximity setup feature for Mac, Prioritize notifications, the new Ambient Music feature, and much, much more. Subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for additional iOS 18.4 coverage.
The M4 Mac mini is pound-for-pound the best value in Mac computers in Apple’s history. Here’s a list of five of the most interesting features that we discovered in the 18.4 beta. For a full look at all 50 features, be sure to watch the video embedded above.Apple is incorporating a new ambient music feature starting with iOS 18.4. The feature, which is accessible via Control Center, provides users with four different ambient music styles – Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing.Each ambient music style corresponds to a specific playlist that adheres to that style. For example, the Chill style features playlist options that include Piano Chill, Ambient Chill, Lo-Fi Jazz, and Pure Chill. Users can customize these playlists when editing the toggle in Control Center. If none of the canned playlists suit your preferences, there is also an option to add a playlist from your own Apple Music library. And since these are Control Center toggles, they can be accessed from other places, such as from the Lock Screen, or via the iPhone’s Action Button.
Jeff Benjamin’s favorite wireless earbuds; they just keep getting better. The UI for Ambient Music is very much like a pared down take on the Music app. It presents a simple now-playing screen with play/pause, skip, volume controls, and AirPlay controls. Users are unable to view details on the artist, album, song, or anything else that would normally be accessible via the Music app. It’s clear that Apple intended Ambient Music to be a simple one-click option to start playing back a specific style with ease.If you’re running the macOS 15.4 beta alongside the iOS 18.4 beta, you’ll find a new proximity setup option when setting up your Mac from scratch. This feature works just like the current proximity setup does for a new iPhone or iPad.The new Apple News+ Food section brings food stories, recipes and videos to the News app for News+ subscribers. The feature, available for both iOS and iPadOS looks best on the bigger iPad screen, especially the step-by-step recipe instructions with integrated timers. However, what’s most interesting about this new feature is the fact that it clearly has bigger ambitions. While digging through beta code, 9to5Mac located new details that indicate that the Food+Recipes feature might be headed to Apple’s upcoming HomePad smart home device. It honestly seems like a killer app for a home-focused device that might live on a kitchen counter.
Jeff’s favorite screen cleaning cloth that polishes to a shine. The Photos app received a few new features in iOS 18.4, but one of the most useful new additions is the ability to filter photos based on ‘Shared With You’ status. This feature lets you to quickly see all of the photos in your library that were sent to you by friends and family.The Secure Indicator Light (SIL), the security feature that lets users know when critical components such as cameras or microphones are in use, gets a new animation in iOS 18.4. When the Dynamic Island is in use by a Live Activity, the SIL moves outside of the Dynamic Island surrounded by a virtual black bezel. The SIL also utilizes the OLED screen to appear brighter in an effort to better mimic an actual LED light. Although it was once expected that iOS 18.4 would debut the new Siri features associated with Apple Intelligence, those updates were delayed. But even still, iOS 18.4 is jam-packed with new features and changes, and this list of five is just the tip of the iceberg. Be sure to watch the full walkthrough for a full rundown on everything new.FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Jeff Benjamin’s favorite screen cleaner for Apple products.
Jeff Benjamin’s favorite wireless earbuds; they just keep getting better.
Jeff’s favorite screen cleaning cloth that polishes to a shine.
The M4 Mac mini is pound-for-pound the best value in Mac computers in Apple’s history. Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:Jeff is the head of video content production for 9to5. He initially joined 9to5Mac in 2016, producing videos, walkthroughs, how-tos, written tutorials, and reviews. He takes pride in explaining things simply, clearly, and concisely. Jeff’s videos have been watched hundreds of millions of times by people seeking to learn more about today’s tech. Subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube to catch Jeff’s latest videos.
Jeff Benjamin’s favorite wireless earbuds; they just keep getting better.
The M4 Mac mini is pound-for-pound the best value in Mac computers in Apple’s history.
Source: https://9to5mac.com/2025/02/24/ios-18-4-beta-1-50-new-changes-and-features-video/