iOS 26.4: Release date expectations, new features, and compatible iPhones
What we know so far
iOS 26.3 is hot off the oven, with Apple bringing important security updates and just a couple of features (better iPhone-to-Android data migration, notification forwarding in the EU, E2EE RCS support, etc.), but we are already turning our heads towards the next major chapter—iOS 26.4.
iOS 26.4: Release date
Given that iOS 26.4 isn't even out in beta yet, and we usually get at least three or four betas before an official release, we are likely looking at a late March or even early April release date for Apple's next software release.
That would fall in line with previous releases of similar iOS x.4 versions.
We also expect Apple to host a major hardware event in the spring given how much new hardware is in the pipeline, so iOS 26.4 might arrive along with said event.
iOS 26.4: What to expect
Personalized Siri
The day might be finally upon us, as iOS 26.4 is largely expected to be the software that brings us a more personal Siri. As teased since WWDC 2024, this smarter Siri will be capable of understanding every user's personal context and be aware of the on-screen contents, as well as possibly come with deep per-app controls.
It was actually supposed to be part of the initial Apple Intelligence rollout, but due to one reason or another, Apple didn't succeed in bringing this next-gen Siri on time along with the rest of its AI features.
Earlier this year, both Apple and Google announced what we had suspected for a while: Google's Gemini would act as the backbone of this smarter Siri, which is a good sign, considering Gemini relies on one of the most capable AI frameworks out there. Still, you wouldn't know that when you use it, as the rumor mill has made it clear there wouldn't be any clear Google or Gemini branding when using the more capable Siri assistant.
Now, while this more capable Siri is likely coming in iOS 26.4, some of its more advanced features might be delayed to iOS 27.
Here's what features the new Siri would have:
- Be capable of answering more factual questions in a conversational way (probably similar to Gemini Live);
- Provide emotional support and tell more stories;
- Act as a basic AI agent and assist the user with basic tasks (like booking a stay or purchasing travel tickets);
- Be capable of creating documents in the Notes app with specific information (the contents of a cooking recipe, for example);
- Be aware of past conversations and exhibit Gemini/ChatGPT/Claude-like memories;
- Deliver proactive suggestions based on information from stock apps, like Mail or Calendar. It all sounds similar to any wishlist we've had for Siri over the years and would definitely feel like a proper homecoming for Apple's digital assistant, which hasn't really felt fresh in years now. That's especially true in the current AI era, where Apple is a bit behind than most of its indirect AI competitors.
Now, rumors have it that Apple is also planning to launch a dedicated Siri chatbot in iOS 27, which would enable users to have full-blown chats with the assistant as if it's ChatGPT or Gemini. It will reportedly be capable of any feature a modern chatbot is capable of: searching the web, generating video/images, vibe-coding for you, summarizing information, analyzing files you upload, and more.
The chatbot will be able to view the open apps on your screen as well as adjust your phone's settings and features. All of that would build onto the foundation laid out by the smarter Siri coming in iOS 26.4.
New emoji
It's customary for Apple to add new emoji to iOS every year, and the latest ones to be previewed by the Unicode Consortium include intriguing ones like Bigfoot, Trombone, Treasure, Orca, Apple Core, Ballet Dancers, Fight Cloud, and more. A small but significant change that's likely to be used by many people.
Misc updates
The revamped Siri would be the biggest new feature, but there will be many other minor ones that still have the potential to be great quality-of-life upgrades:
The Freeform app will now support folders, where you'll be able to organize your collaborative workboards.
Users who have credit or debit card details saved in the Apple Passwords app will be able to autofill the credentials in third-party apps. This would be a great quality-of-life feature.
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