Apple users have a lot to be excited about with the release of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, macOS 15.4, and visionOS 2.4. The updates not only bring new features and improvements across Apple’s device lineup, but they also expand Apple Intelligence to new countries and languages. From a fresh Apple News+ Food section to exciting additions for AirPods Max and iPhone users, here’s a breakdown of what’s new.
A Taste of What’s New: Apple News+ Food Section
One of the standout additions in iOS 18.4 is the introduction of a dedicated Apple News+ Food section. Found in the News app, this new section gathers a collection of recipes and food-related articles, catering to culinary enthusiasts. But there’s more for those who subscribe to Apple News+: exclusive recipes that aren’t available to non-subscribers, giving you an extra reason to upgrade.
Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just looking for new meal ideas, the Apple News+ Food section is a convenient hub to find delicious inspiration, tips, and stories about food.
New Emoji, Priority Notifications, and More
Apple is also introducing some fun and practical updates in this release. iOS 18.4 comes with a new batch of emoji, ensuring your messages and social media posts stay fresh and expressive. Whether you’re adding a new favorite symbol to your digital conversations or searching for that perfect emoji to express your emotions, these updates bring variety and fun to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
Another feature sure to make life a bit easier is AI-sorted Priority Notifications. Located in Notification Center, this feature uses Apple’s AI to sort your notifications by priority, so you can keep your focus where it matters. No more worrying about missed updates or wasting time sifting through less important notifications — Apple’s AI makes sure you see what’s most important first.
Enhanced Photos and Audio Experience
iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS 15.4 are also rolling out several enhancements to the Photos app and audio features. Users can now filter photos more effectively, making it easier to organize memories or find a specific shot in a sea of images. Meanwhile, for audiophiles and music lovers, AirPods Max owners can now enjoy lossless audio, bringing a higher level of sound quality to Apple’s premium headphones.
This update truly elevates the multimedia experience across Apple’s devices, ensuring users get the best audio and visual quality possible.
Quality-of-Life Updates Across the Board
Alongside these major additions, Apple has included a range of quality-of-life features that improve usability and performance across their devices. For example, iOS 18.4 introduces AI-generated summaries of App Store reviews, making it easier to determine whether an app is worth downloading by highlighting key feedback and ratings.
In the Control Center, an Ambient Music tool has been added, providing a calming and immersive listening experience for users who want to unwind. Plus, if you’re a fan of Matter-compatible smart home devices, the update now allows you to add and control robot vacuums directly in the Home app.
The Podcasts app also gets a boost with new widgets, and iOS 18.4 introduces a “Sketch” style for images in Image Playground. These creative tools give users more ways to engage with their devices and personalize their content.
The Vision Pro Experience Gets Even Better
Apple is also expanding its reach into the immersive world of AR with updates to visionOS 2.4, which powers the Vision Pro headset. This release introduces Writing Tools and Image Playground features for the first time, enhancing the creative capabilities of Apple’s mixed-reality platform. Whether you’re sketching ideas or designing immersive experiences, the new tools give Vision Pro users even more to work with.
In addition, the update streamlines the process for sharing your headset with others, and introduces a new Apple Vision Pro app for the iPhone. This app allows users to download apps and experiences directly to their Vision Pro remotely. Plus, a new Spatial Gallery app has been added, offering curated spatial videos and photos that rotate regularly, further enhancing the Vision Pro’s immersive nature.
Expanding Apple Intelligence to New Regions
Another significant update comes in the form of Apple Intelligence, the company’s suite of AI-driven features. Apple has announced that these features will now be available in the European Union for the first time. iPhone and iPad users in the EU can now take advantage of Apple Intelligence’s advanced capabilities, which includes features like AI-sorted notifications, enhanced Siri functionalities, and more.
Moreover, Apple Intelligence is being expanded to several new languages, including French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and simplified Chinese. This update also brings localized English for regions like Singapore and India, ensuring that Apple’s AI tools are even more accessible to users around the globe.
With so many new features packed into iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, macOS 15.4, and visionOS 2.4, Apple continues to prove that it’s dedicated to enhancing the user experience. Whether you’re a foodie, an audiophile, or a tech enthusiast, these updates offer something for everyone. And with the expansion of Apple Intelligence, it’s clear that the company is moving full steam ahead in making its devices smarter and more intuitive than ever.