Apple Releases Third Beta of iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 with New Features
Apple has released revised third beta versions of iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 to developers and public beta testers, following the initial beta release three days prior. MacRumors first reported the update on March 5, 2026.
New Features in iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4
The updates introduce several new features designed to enhance the user experience on iPhone and iPad. Key additions include:
- Playlist Playground in Apple Music: This feature allows users to generate songs based on text prompts, catering to specific moods, emotions, or activities.
- Concerts Near You: A new feature to help users discover local concerts.
- Redesigned Apple Music Visuals: Albums and playlists now feature full-page artwork for a more immersive experience.
- Video Podcast Support in Apple Podcasts: Native support for video podcasts has been added, streamlining content creation, distribution, and monetization for podcasters. MacRumors details that video episodes will integrate with existing Apple Podcasts features like personalized recommendations.
- Conclude-to-End Encryption for RCS: Apple is testing end-to-end encryption for Rich Communication Services (RCS), aiming to secure text conversations between Android and iPhone users. Testing includes both iPhone-to-iPhone and iPhone-to-Android messaging.
- Enhanced Security: Stolen Device Protection is now enabled by default, adding an extra layer of security for users.
- Additional Updates: The beta also includes a new ambient music widget, updated average bedtime metrics in the Sleep app, and other improvements.
iPadOS 26 Enhancements
Alongside iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26 brings significant updates to the iPad experience. These include:
- Liquid Glass: A new design element intended to make the iPad interface more vibrant and visually appealing.
- New Windowing System: An intuitive windowing system provides increased power and flexibility for multitasking.
- Folders in the Dock: Users can now organize apps into folders within the Dock for easier access.
- Preview App: The Preview app is now available on iPad, providing a central location for managing PDF documents.
- Live Translation: Real-time translation is available in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone calls.
Availability
The iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 betas are available for download through the Settings app on iPhone and iPad for registered developers and public beta testers. Navigate to General > Software Update to install the latest beta version. MacRumors provides instructions for downloading and installing the beta software.
A third beta of watchOS 26.4 has also been released.