Control Center is getting even better in iOS 18.4, here’s what’s new – 9to5Mac

iOS 18’s new Control Center has proven to be much more than a one-off design change. Apple has steadily added new capabilities to Control Center via software updates, and iOS 18.4 continues that trend in a big way thanks to several nice upgrades.iOS 18.4 introduces a whole new section of controls called Ambient Music. Here you’ll find the following four controls:Each of these let you quickly trigger an Apple Music playlist that fits the given mood. You can also configure your chosen control to play a different playlist by default—either one you manually set yourself, or a recommended built-in.Ambient Music controls can be resized to take up one, two, or four slots inside Control Center, and they can also be assigned to your iPhone’s Action Button or Lock Screen.In the newly renamed ‘Apple Intelligence and Siri’ section of Control Center’s catalog, there are two new options.Joining the existing ‘Type to Siri’ toggle, you can now also add ‘Talk to Siri’ and ‘Visual Intelligence’ as new controls.The former triggers Siri in voice mode, just like the side button does. The latter enables a key Apple Intelligence camera feature, which was formerly iPhone 16-exclusive, to also come to the iPhone 15 Pro and 16e despite the lack of Camera Control. Visual Intelligence makes an especially nice Action Button assignment.Apple also has several design enhancements included with iOS 18.4. So far those changes include:The Focus change makes it clear that you can tap the arrows to view your full lineup of Focus modes. It sits on the right side of the toggle, while hitting the left side turns the current Focus on and off.iOS 18.4’s brightness and volume slider animations show off some of the fun design flourishes Apple is known for. With the brightness slider, for example, you’ll see the sun grow smaller and dimmer or larger and brighter based on your brightness setting.Control Center has gone through several updates over the course of its lifespan, but the latest iteration keeps proving itself the best. The ability for users to fully customize their own Control Center setups, and choose from a wide range of controls that’s always growing, has made for a winning combination. iOS 18.4’s additions only continue Apple’s success making Control Center better than ever.Which iOS 18.4 Control Center changes are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments.FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:Ryan got his start in journalism as an Editor at MacStories, where he worked for four years covering Apple news, writing app reviews, and more. For two years he co-hosted the Adapt podcast on Relay FM, which focused entirely on the iPad. As a result, it should come as no surprise that his favorite Apple device is the iPad Pro.

Source: https://9to5mac.com/2025/03/14/control-center-is-getting-even-better-in-ios-184-heres-whats-new/