Apple has opened the iOS 26.4 beta cycle to everyone in the Public Beta Program. The first developer beta shipped on February 16, 2026, and the first public beta followed on February 17, 2026.
This update is not a single headline feature. Instead, it spreads changes across Apple Music, Podcasts, Messages, and several system settings, with a few security and quality-of-life tweaks mixed in.
If you install it now, expect the list of changes to grow as Apple ships later betas. That is typical for a .4 release in the beta phase.
How to update to iOS 26.4 public beta
- Back up your iPhone (iCloud backup or a computer backup).
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap Software Update.
- Tap Beta Updates and choose iOS 26 Public Beta.
- Go back, then tap Download and Install.
Tip: If you do not see “Beta Updates,” you may need to sign in to the Public Beta Program first, then return to Software Update.
All the changes in iOS 26.4 public beta
Here are the updates people will notice first:
- Apple Music gets a refreshed look for albums and playlists, plus new discovery-style touches.
- “Playlist Playground” arrives in Apple Music, letting you generate playlists with text prompts and then refine them with follow-up prompts.
- Personal Hotspot data is easier to track, including clearer usage details for connected devices.
- Apple Podcasts adds a new video podcast experience, designed to let you switch between audio and video without losing your place.
- RCS messaging testing expands toward end-to-end encryption, as part of broader work on secure cross-platform messaging standards.
- Stolen Device Protection turns on by default in this beta, adding friction to sensitive actions if your iPhone is away from familiar places.
- Smaller app and settings changes also show up, including tweaks in apps like Reminders and iCloud-related settings.
Siri and Apple Intelligence status
If you are installing iOS 26.4 mainly for a major Siri leap, you will likely feel underwhelmed. Early builds focus more on app updates and system changes than a big Siri redesign, and some Siri work is expected later than this release.
That said, iOS 26.4 still adds AI-adjacent features you can use right away, especially inside Apple Music with prompt-based playlist creation.
If you have installed the public beta, tell me what changed on your iPhone and what you want Apple to fix before the final release.
