Apple has launched its next update cycle around 1 week early, with the first developer beta builds for iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, watchOS 26.4, tvOS 26.4, visionOS 26.4, HomePod Software 26.4, and macOS Tahoe 26.4 now beginning to roll out.
Apple seeds the first developer beta builds for iOS 26.4 and more
One of the biggest changes with the iOS 26.4 beta 1 is Apple's upcoming support for video-based podcasts in the Apple Podcasts app. Apple says the new "enhanced video podcast experience" will allow users to "seamlessly switch between viewing a video podcast and listening to the audio." The update also adds support for dynamic video ads in the Podcasts app.
Do note that even though Apple already supports video-based podcasts, iOS 26.4 has just introduced HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) tech, which would allow Apple to offer video playback without compromising the audio listening experience of a given podcast: it automatically adjusts quality based on network strength and throughput. The tech also allows for downloading video podcasts for offline playback.
Elsewhere, iOS 26.4 beta 1 has also introduced an early test of the end-to-end (E2E) encryption tech that remains in the offing for Rich Communication Services (RCS) messages. As a refresher, RCS messages allow iPhone and Android users to share high-resolution media, while adding support for typing indicators, read receipts, and improved group chat functionality (naming groups, adding/removing members).
Basically, iOS 26.4 has introduced a toggle in the Settings app that allows you to enable/disable end-to-end encryption for RCS messages. The toggle remains enabled by default. Currently, this E2E encryption is only available for iPhone-to-iPhone communication, providing a replacement for those who've disabled iMessages. When you message someone with RCS E2E encryption enabled, you will see a new lock icon in the chat thread.
Elsewhere, Apple has now enabled its Stolen Device Protection by default in iOS 26.4. The feature requires authentication through Face ID or Touch ID to access certain sensitive iPhone features, including the Passwords app, Lost mode in Find My app, Safari purchases, and more.
The biggest visual changes in iOS 26.4 center on Apple's Music app, which has gained a new full-screen design for albums and playlists. Also, when viewing an album or playlist, the track list will now adopt a background color that complements the artwork. You can also now discover concerts near you from right inside the Music app.
What's more, the Apple Music app now lets you create a playlist with a text-based prompt. Basically, you can explain your idea or a specific theme in words, and the app will automatically curate a list of matching songs.
Apple has also redesigned the Wallpaper Gallery app, which has gained new categories, while additional under-the-hood optimizations make the app more responsive and fluid.
Finally, the Personal Hotspot feature now breaks down data usage by each device, which should prove to be quite useful in managing access to your data.
Other updates
As mentioned earlier, the first developer beta builds are also now rolling out for iPadOS 26.4, watchOS 26.4, tvOS 26.4, visionOS 26.4, HomePod Software 26.4, and macOS Tahoe 26.4
- visionOS 26.4 now supports NVIDIA CloudXR with foveated streaming, enabling apps to display high-resolution, low-latency immersive content on Apple Vision Pro.
- macOS Tahoe 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 reintroduce compact tabs for the Safari browser.
- macOS Tahoe 26.4 now includes a slider bar that allows you to limit the battery charge level to a specific percentage between 80 and 100 percent.
About the author: Writing is my one incontrovertible passion. Over the past six years, he has authored over 2,200 distinct articles on financial and tech-related topics, spanning nearly 1 million words. And he has been a member of Wcctech mobile team since 2025. As an alumnus of the University of Toronto, Rotman Commerce Program, I bring nuance, in-depth knowledge, and a unique perspective to every topic that I cover. When I'm not writing, I'm traveling the world, exploring hidden confectionaries and restaurants as an aspiring food connoisseur.
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