A week after the release of iOS 18.4 beta 4, Apple is back with the Release Candidate (RC) software update for its iPhone operating system. It’s an important update, as it includes support for Apple Intelligence in Spanish. But this beta brings other very interesting new features.
This is a beta software update, an update in testing. That is, iOS 18.4 is practically ready for release, save for possible bug fixes, security improvements, and a few other new features worth mentioning.
With that said, let’s get started and see everything the RC version of iOS 18.4 has to offer. The final version of this update is just around the corner, likely due in early April, according to Apple itself.
What is a Release Candidate version?
A Release Candidate (RC) version of iOS is a near-final version of the operating system that Apple releases to developers and beta testers before the official release to all users. Its name suggests “Release Candidate,” and its primary purpose is to allow for final testing to detect critical bugs or compatibility issues that may have gone unnoticed.
Unlike previous betas, the RC version typically has the same features and functionality as the final version. If no major bugs are found, this version becomes a public release. It serves to ensure stability, optimization, and a smooth experience for all users at the time of release. The final version of iOS 18.4 is expected to be released “in early April” 2025.
How to install a beta software update
Beta software updates for Apple’s operating systems can be installed on any Apple device. It’s a fairly straightforward process, and in the case of developer beta versions, all you need to do is link your Apple account to the company’s developer program. It’s easy and completely free. So, if you want to download and try iOS 18.4 RC on your iPhone, here’s what you need to do:
- Sync your Apple account with the Apple Developer Beta Program.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Go to the General section.
- Go to the Software Update section.
- Wait a few seconds and click on Beta Updates.
- Select iOS 18.4 Developer Beta.
- Go back and you’ll be able to download and install the iOS 18.4 beta update.
iPhone models compatible with iOS 18.4 RC
This is the list of all iPhone models that can install iOS 18. All of these models will also be able to install the iOS 18.4 beta updates.
- iPhone 16 Pro Max.
- iPhone 16 Pro.
- iPhone 16 Plus.
- iPhone 16.
- iPhone 16e.
- iPhone 15 Pro Max.
- iPhone 15 Pro.
- iPhone 15 Plus.
- iPhone 15.
- iPhone 14 Pro Max.
- iPhone 14 Pro.
- iPhone 14 Plus.
- iPhone 14.
- iPhone 13 Pro Max.
- iPhone 13 Pro.
- iPhone 13.
- iPhone 13 mini.
- iPhone SE 2022.
- iPhone 12 Pro Max.
- iPhone 12 Pro.
- iPhone 12.
- iPhone 12 mini.
- iPhone SE 2020
- iPhone 11 Pro Max.
- iPhone 11 Pro.
- iPhone 11.
- iPhone XS Max.
- iPhone XS.
- iPhone XR.
What’s new in iOS 18.4 RC
Below, we’ll tell you all about the new features introduced with the fifth beta of iOS 18.4. A host of Apple Intelligence features such as Writing Tools, Image Playground, Graphic Wand, and Genmoji. Other new features include new buttons for the Control Center and new emoji.
- Image Playground: Allows users to create creative images by combining concepts, text descriptions, and people from their Photo albums.
- Genmoji: This feature allows you to generate custom emojis from text descriptions.
- Writing Tools: Offers advanced tools for writing and editing text, including artificial intelligence features for real-time information search and analysis.
- Camera Control with Visual Intelligence: Provides instant feedback about your surroundings using the iPhone camera, identifying objects, text, or landscapes.
- Photo Cleanup: Known as Clean Up, this Apple Intelligence feature allows you to quickly and easily remove unwanted elements from your images.
Other new features in iOS 18.4 beta
In addition to the new AI features, the second beta of iOS 18.4 also introduces a few other noteworthy changes:
- Ambient Music in Control Center: Apple has added new buttons to play ambient music in the Control Center, including Sleep, Relaxation, Productivity, and Wellness themes.
- Photos Album List View: The iOS 18.4 beta features a redesigned UI for the Photos album list view.
- New widgets: Additionally, Apple has added new widget formats to the Podcasts app. Specifically, these are widgets for playing podcasts from the Library section.
- New default apps: With iOS 18.4 beta 4, you’ll be able to select additional default apps in the GPS navigation and translation categories.
- New emojis: A collection of emojis including a face with dark circles under the eyes, a harp, a spot, a shovel, and a tree with leaves…
- New app for Apple Vision Pro.
- New collection of emojis.
- Apple Intelligence buttons in the Control Center.
- Visual Intelligence Function on the Action Button.
- Prioritizing notifications allows you to select individual apps in Settings.
