The RC version (Release Candidate) from iOS 18.4 has already been published a few days ago and it is clear that it is only a few days until the official release.
We show what innovations await you with the big update for the iPhone.
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iOS 18.4: Numerous innovations for selected iPhones and iPads
For users within the EU, iOS 18.4 brings a variety of functions. Apple Intelligence also celebrates its debut in Germany. However, Apple's AI functions are only available to a selected circle with certain iPhone models.
Compatible models for Apple Intelligence
The following iPhones support Apple Intelligence:
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 Pro
The following iPads supported Apple Intelligence:
- iPad Pro with M1 chip and new
- Ipad Air with M1 chip and new
Image Playground
After installing the update and activating Apple Intelligence in the settings, a new app appears on the home screen: Playground.
With this app, images in different styles can be generated locally on the device using predefined input requests.
iOS 18.4: Create new emojis with Genoji
With iOS 18.4 it is possible to create your own emojis,which are added as stickers of the collection. No separate app is required for this, but only the screen keyboard.
You can find out how you create a gene moji in a few steps in our guide:
Prioritize messages
Under iOS 18.4, messages on the lock screen of many apps canare automatically grouped and prioritized:
- In this way, potentially important messages appear at the top of the news stack. For example, this can be messages from a favorite contact or a call.
- If you swipe up, all further messages are displayed.
- You decide which apps should be taken into account.
- If you want to summarize the messages, the content of grouped messages, for example from a WhatsApp group, are summarized compactly.
You can find out how you can activate the function in our short guide:
Writing tools
A large component of iOS 18.4 and Apple Intelligence are the so -called writing tools. The tool is available throughout the system and helps to write, correct and optimize texts:
- Text correction: Apple Intelligence checks texts for spelling and grammatical errors and makes changes in change with explanations.
- Formulate: Texts can be reformulated into different styles such as friendly, professional or short and concise.
- Summarize: Longer texts can be quickly summarized, lists or tables.
Visual Intelligence
Apple has developed a counterpart to Google Lens. With Visual Intelligence you learn a lot about your surroundings:
- Object recognition: Identifies plants, animals, buildings or products and provides information.
- The local information: Recognizes and describes places such as restaurants or sights.
- Word processing: Can translate, summarize or read out texts
- Search with Google: The camera image can be handed over to Google search.
- Chatgpt ask: In addition, Chatgpt can be asked about further information.
How does visual intelligence open?If you have an iPhone 16, you call up the function by holding the camera control. With the iPhone 16E and the iPhone 15 series, you optionally occupy the action button with this function. There is also a shortcut for the control center and the lock screen.
The photo app is improved in iOS 18.4
With the update to iOS 18, the photo app was revisedand receives new functions as part of Apple Intelligence. With the new clean-up tool, objects, people or animals disappear from the picture, according to the theory.
In practice, Apple's approach shows significant weaknesses compared to the competition:
The review function within the photo app is also new. By entering a description, the app creates a story or review with the appropriate images. Optionally, a song from Apple Music can also be integrated.
Further optimizations in the photo app:
- The application offers an improved search function that makes it easier to find the pictures of a person.
- New options are available with which the photos can be better filtered.
- In the area of "last deleted", all photos can be deleted or restored with a tap.
- In the iPhone settings there is a new option for photos to "last viewed the albums" and "most recently divided" under Other.
The new mail app
Time-critical emails, invoices, newsletters or advertising emails are automatically divided into four categories in the mail app to find them faster. In addition to the mails, contact pictures or company logos of the sender are displayed on the left.
Of course there is still a list of all emails. With the help of Apple Intelligence, emails can be summarized, pre -made answers can be sent and the search function improved.
The iPad also receives the new view with iPados 18.4.
Further innovations in iOS 18.4
Apart from Apple Intelligence, smaller innovations are included in iOS 18.4.
- Control center: In addition to the button for access to Visual Intelligence, the control center receives new access options for Siri. On request, buttons for "speak to Siri" and "type Siri inquiries" can be added.
- Emojis: With iOS 18.4, seven new emojis come on the iPhone - including a face with dark circles, a fingerprint, a shovel and a harp.
- Vison Pro-App: Apple's mixed reality headset receives a separate iPhone app, similar to the Apple Watch. The software enables access to operating instructions, technical information and new content such as videos, apps or games.
- Ambient Music: The lock screen can be provided with buttons for special ambient noise such as sleep, chill, productivity and well -being. By tapping a category, a random selection of noises or music in this category is played.
- Data protection display points: The green or orange dot on microphone and camera operations hikes to the left and is stored in black.
- Apple Maps: A new option for determining a preferred language is available in the settings.
- Podcast-Widgets: New widgets are available for the start screen.
- Mobile communications: The strength of the mobile phone signal is now displayed in the form of bars on the mobile phone display in the control center.
- Standard-Apps: In the EU it is now possible to set third-party apps for translation and navigate as standard.
- MAC facility: There is a new function with which an iPhone or iPad that is nearby and has an Apple account can register with a Mac and set up a new Mac.
- Short commands: The app receives numerous new in-app and cross-app functions. Among other things, the settings of Safari or Apple Maps can be changed. The new shortcuts should form the basis for the next big Siri update.
- HomeKit: iOS 18.4 supports Homekit dust vacuum robot if these are matter-compatible.
In addition to the big innovations, there are also some minor changes. For example, the App Wallet has received a new area that offers direct access to purchases, settings and subscriptions. In addition, downloads from the App Store can now be stopped directly in the app.
How to install iOS 18.4
As soon as the new version iOS 18.4 is available for download, proceeds as follows:
- Open the settings on the iPhone.
- Select "General" and now switch to "software update".
- Now wait until the new version appears and selects "Download & Install".
The smartphone restarts after download. In addition to iOS 18.4, new software updates for iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV and Vision Pro are also expected:
- Ipados 18.4: "Settings" → "General" → "Softwareupdate"
- macOS 15.4: "Settings" → "General" → "Softwareupdate"
- watchOS 11.4: "General" → "software update"
- tvOS 18.4: "Settings" → "System" → "Softwareupdate"
- visionOS 2.4: "Settings" → "General" → "Softwareupdate"
So your Apple Intelligence activates
After installing iOS 18.4, Apple Intelligence must first be activated in the settingsto benefit from the innovations. Click here for the settings of Apple Intelligence:
- Open the settings on the iPhone.
- Switch to the "Apple Intelligence & Siri" menu.
- Sets the hook for "Apple Intelligence".
Activation of the AI suite can take a few minutes. As soon as Appel Intelligence has been successfully activated on the iPhone, the new functions are available.
