Apple has just dropped a bombshell in the tech world with the release of iOS 18.4. This latest update isn’t just about the usual bug fixes and minor improvements; it’s a significant leap forward, packed with new artificial intelligence tools that promise to redefine how we use our iPhones. The update, which rolled out on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, brings a suite of “Apple Intelligence” features to eligible iPhone models, marking a pivotal moment in the integration of AI into our daily mobile experience.
What’s the Buzz About?
The headline feature of iOS 18.4 is undoubtedly the introduction and expansion of Apple Intelligence. Initially previewed earlier this year, these AI-powered tools are now available to a wider range of users and in more languages. This update aims to make your iPhone smarter, more intuitive, and more helpful in everyday tasks.
Priority Notifications: Never Miss What Matters
One of the most notable AI additions is the “Priority Notifications” feature. Leveraging on-device intelligence, iOS 18.4 can now identify critical notifications that might require your immediate attention and display them prominently at the top of your notification list. This feature ensures that you don’t get lost in a sea of alerts and can quickly respond to urgent matters. In the Settings app, under Notifications, users can customize which apps should have their notifications prioritized.
Visual Intelligence Gets a Boost
The “Visual Intelligence” feature, previously exclusive to the iPhone 16 series, has now been extended to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models. This powerful tool allows users to interact with images in new ways. By using the Action Button on these devices, users can now summarize and translate text within photos, identify phone numbers and email addresses, and even perform visual searches powered by Google or OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Imagine pointing your phone at a foreign menu and instantly getting a translation, or quickly identifying contact information from a poster – Visual Intelligence makes this a reality.
Unleash Your Creativity with Image Playground
For those who love to express themselves visually, iOS 18.4 introduces a new “Sketch” style within the “Image Playground” app. This feature, which is also integrated into apps like Messages and Freeform, allows users to create unique, sketch-like drawings from text prompts. You can combine various themes, costumes, accessories, and locations to generate imaginative images. Furthermore, Image Playground can even create AI-generated images of your friends and family based on the photos in your Photos app, adding a personalized touch to your creations.
Writing Tools: Your Personal Writing Assistant
iOS 18.4 brings system-wide “Writing Tools” that are designed to help you communicate more effectively. Integrated into apps like Messages, Notes, and even third-party applications, these tools can assist with writing, proofreading, and summarizing text. You can adjust the tone of your writing, check for grammar errors, and generate concise summaries of long passages. This feature is also available on iPadOS and macOS, providing a consistent writing experience across your Apple devices.
Genmoji: Emojis Like Never Before
Tired of not finding the perfect emoji to express yourself? With “Genmoji,” you can now create custom emojis simply by typing a description. iOS 18.4 will generate a unique emoji based on your prompt, allowing for a new level of personalized communication across various social apps and messaging platforms.
Expanded Language Support: Apple Intelligence Speaks Your Language
Initially launched in select regions with limited language support, Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.4 now supports eight additional languages and two more English variants: English (India, Singapore), French (France, Canada), German (Germany), Italian (Italy), Japanese (Japan), Korean (South Korea), Portuguese (Brazil), Simplified Chinese, and Spanish (Spain, Latin America, US). This expansion ensures that more users around the world can benefit from these intelligent features.
How to Get iOS 18.4
Updating your iPhone to iOS 18.4 is a straightforward process. Simply go to Settings, tap on General, and then navigate to the Software Update section. If the update is available for your device, you will see the option to “Download and Install.” Tap on it to begin the update process. Once the update is complete, you can enable Apple Intelligence features by going to Settings and tapping on the “Apple Intelligence & Siri” option. While the Apple Intelligence toggle is usually enabled by default, you can review and customize the settings according to your preferences. Some features, like Image Playground, might require additional content downloads upon first use.
Which iPhones are Eligible?
It’s important to note that Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18.4 are not available on all iPhone models. Currently, they are supported on the iPhone 16 series, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
More Than Just AI: Other Notable Updates
Beyond the headline AI features, iOS 18.4 also includes other improvements and additions:
- Photos App Enhancements: The Photos app receives updates that allow users to show or hide photos not in albums or synced from a computer. You can also reorder categories in Media Types and Utilities and enjoy consistent sorting options across all collections.
- Apple News+ Recipes: For Apple News+ subscribers, the app now provides step-by-step recipe directions, a new recipe catalog, and a dedicated food section with news and information about restaurants and healthy eating.
- Vision Pro App: Vision Pro users now have a dedicated iOS app to manage their headset, download apps, find tips, and set up guest mode.
- Control Panel Options: A new Ambient Music option in the Control Panel lets you choose different sound categories like Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing. Additionally, a new Apple Intelligence section provides quick access to Talk to Siri, Type to Siri, and Visual Intelligence.
- Apple Mail Improvements: Similar to the updates in iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.4 and macOS 15.4 now feature AI-powered Apple Mail skills, allowing you to view your inbox in categories like Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions. Smart Reply options are also available in Mail and Messages for quick responses.
A Glimpse into the Future
The release of iOS 18.4 marks a significant step in Apple’s journey towards integrating artificial intelligence into its ecosystem. These new AI-powered features are not just gimmicks; they offer tangible benefits that can enhance productivity, creativity, and overall user experience. As AI continues to evolve, we can expect even more sophisticated and integrated features in future iOS updates, further blurring the lines between human and artificial intelligence in our daily lives. This update certainly gives us a taste of what’s to come and leaves us wondering: what groundbreaking AI innovations will Apple unveil next?
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