Five iOS 18.4 features you might have missed in surprisingly huge iPhone update
There's been some major app improvements
Apple rolled out iOS 18.4 last week, but among the major updates like the new Apple Intelligence Priority Notifications, there are a bunch of smaller updates quietly making life a little easier for iPhone users.
While we patiently wait for the delayed next-gen Siri, here are five low-key but super handy features worth checking out now.
1. New Shortcuts actions
The Shortcuts app got a subtle but useful boost in iOS 18.4.
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In the Shortcuts app, users can now create new actions for apps like Safari, Apple Maps and Apple News. Each app brings its own set of customisable options, giving you more control over your iPhone experience. This might not seem huge on its own, but it hints that Apple could be laying the groundwork for the upgraded Siri that’s on the way.
2. New emojis
Most iOS updates seem to come with a few new emojis - and iOS 18.4 is no different. Users can brighten up their messages with emojis like a new fingerprint, a harp, a splatter emoji and - perhaps the most relatable - a stressed-looking smiley with under-eye bags.
3. Ambient music
A new feature you've most likely missed is the option to add Ambient Music buttons to your Control Center. This upgrade builds on Apple’s existing Background Sounds feature, offering four different playlists: Chill, Sleep, Productivity, and Wellbeing.
To use the feature, simply head to Control Center settings, add the Ambient Music button, and you're good to go.
4. Apple Photos improvements
The Photos app also got a tidy upgrade with a bunch of new tools to help keep things organised. Users can now toggle ‘Recently Viewed’ and ‘Recently Shared’ galleries on or off, filter by ‘Shared With You’ or ‘Not in an Album.'
There's also a new filter option where albums can be sorted by ‘Date Modified' - saving you tonnes of scrolling time.
5. Visual Intelligence for iPhone 15 Pro
Although it was previously limited to the iPhone 16, Visual Intelligence is now available on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. The new Action Button opens Visual Intelligence and works similar to Google Lens.
Once you take a photo, you can find out more information about whatever's in the frame using ChatGPT or Google Search.
While the iPhone 15 Pro doesn’t have the dedicated Camera Control button that the 16 does, users can still access Visual Intelligence via the Action Button or Control Center.