Apple is transferring on from iOS 26.3. After releasing the primary few iOS 26.4 developer betas, the corporate is now on its fourth developer beta for iOS 26.4.The fourth developer beta, which you’ll obtain proper now, is a largely polish-focused replace, persevering with Apple’s iOS 26.4 testing cycle forward of a spring launch.iOS 26.4 consists of early testing assist for end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging, AI-generated playlists in Apple Music, modifications to Stolen Device Protection, new video capabilities in Apple Podcasts and a handful of under-the-hood tweaks that sign the place Apple is headed subsequent.The replace as a complete does not introduce something as flashy as iOS 26’s Liquid Glass redesign or its headline Apple Intelligence options, nevertheless it continues Apple’s sample for level releases: increasing options that had been beforehand restricted or hidden, beefing up privateness and safety and laying the groundwork for issues that will not absolutely arrive till later this yr. While developer betas like iOS 26.4 are primarily meant for app builders, anybody with a registered developer account can set up them, and many people do. But keep in mind it is meant for builders, not day-to-day use. Early builds usually carry bugs that may crash apps, drain your battery, overheat your telephone and customarily make your gadget really feel sluggish. Unless you have to check software program in opposition to Apple’s subsequent launch, it is smarter to stay with the public beta in your primary iPhone and solely obtain the beta on one other gadget. Watch this: I’m Impressed With iOS 26. Apple Just Made iPhones Better
05:40 All the brand new options within the iOS 26.4 developer betaThe iOS 26.4 developer beta is a comparatively small replace, nevertheless it provides a couple of notable modifications and expands options Apple has been quietly testing.Early end-to-end encrypted RCS assist: iOS 26.4 provides a toggle in Settings > Messages > RCS Messaging that lets builders check end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging contained in the Messages app. When enabled, encrypted RCS chats will present a brand new lock icon in dialog threads. At the second, the potential is restricted — it is not accessible for all units or carriers. This isn’t a full rollout, however is an early step towards encrypted RCS in a future replace.Stolen Device Protection updates: Apple is popping on Stolen Device Protection routinely for all iPhone customers as an alternative of leaving it opt-in. This safety function, first launched in 2023, requires Face ID or Touch ID (and in some circumstances a time delay) earlier than somebody can do issues like view saved passwords, flip off Lost Mode, erase the gadget or change your Apple ID password when away from trusted areas. You can nonetheless disable it in case you select.Apple Music Playlist Playground: iOS 26.4 introduces Apple Music’s new Playlist Playground, an Apple Intelligence-powered device that permits you to generate full playlists from textual content prompts (i.e., chill wet day combine). You can enter your individual description or select from built-in concepts, then tweak the generated playlist with additional prompts. Apple Music additionally features a new Concerts Near You function and redesigned full-page paintings for albums and playlists.Video in Apple Podcasts: The Podcasts app helps video episodes, permitting you to modify between audio and video variations, stream exhibits and obtain video podcasts for offline viewing.iOS 26.4 additionally consists of different minor new options and enhancements, like a brand new unified Apple Account hub and the return of Notification Forwarding, in addition to the same old spherical of bug fixes and efficiency optimizations typical of an early developer beta. The iPhone 17 helps iOS 26.4. Viva Tung/CNETWhich iPhone fashions assist iOS 26?As lengthy as you personal an iPhone 11 or newer, you possibly can obtain iOS 26. That means the iPhone XR/XS technology is out, whereas each A13 Bionic handset ahead, together with the rumored forthcoming iPhone 17 fashions, will work.Apple Intelligence works solely on appropriate telephones, which embrace any iPhone 16 mannequin and the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.How to arrange your iPhone to put in the iOS 26.4 developer betaBefore you get too excited and begin downloading the iOS 26.4 developer beta, there are some things you have to do:Check your {hardware} first. This beta runs solely on iPhone 11 and newer. If you need the headline Apple Intelligence options, you may want an iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max or something within the iPhone 16 or 17 lineup.Update to the newest public launch. Make positive your telephone is already on essentially the most present secure construct (proper now that is iOS 26.3). This helps forestall any points that come up from updating with outdated software program.Have a very good Wi-Fi connection. You need the set up to go flawlessly, which suggests you have to be linked to an honest Wi-Fi community.Have sufficient area in your telephone. You want roughly 9GB of area in your telephone to obtain the iOS 26.4 developer beta.Archive a backup. A traditional iCloud backup will be overwritten; you want one that may’t. On your Mac, join your iPhone, open Finder, choose your gadget, hit Back Up Now > Manage Backups, right-click the brand new backup and click on Archive. On Windows, the method is comparable. Open iTunes, click on Back Up Now, find the backup in Preferences and archive it.Know the escape hatch. If the beta breaks your telephone for any cause (this has by no means occurred to me), you may should put the telephone in Recovery Mode, restore iOS 26.3 after which pull that archived backup again onto the gadget.Once you’ve got adopted these steps, you are just about able to go.How to put in the iOS 26.4 developer beta in your iPhoneApple now lets anybody set up developer betas with out paying the $99 annual payment. To accomplish that, go to the Apple Developer web site on the gadget you propose to replace, open the ☰ menu, select Account, and register with that gadget’s Apple ID. Agree to the phrases, tick the required containers and faucet Submit. You may have to allow Developer Mode in Settings > Privacy and Security. The first developer beta of iOS 26.4. Apple/Screenshot by CNETNow you possibly can set up the iOS 26.4 developer beta in your telephone as an over-the-air replace:After you join the Apple Developer program, it is best to see the choice to obtain the iOS 26.4 developer beta in your settings.On your gadget, open Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates and select the iOS 26.4 Developer Beta.Go again and faucet Download and Install below the brand new “iOS 26.4 Developer Beta” possibility that seems.Finally, punch in your passcode, settle for the phrases and let the installer do its factor. On an honest Wi-Fi connection, the download-and-reboot routine ought to take roughly 10 to 15 minutes, however that will fluctuate. When your iPhone powers again on, you may be operating the developer beta.
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