Apple Releases First iOS 26.4 Betas to Developers

Apple has released the first developer betas of iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4, marking the next phase of testing less than a week after the rollout of version 26.3. Developers enrolled in Apple’s program can access the builds through the Settings app on supported iPhones and iPads, where the new beta appears under software update options. As with previous beta releases, the updates are intended primarily for testing and early feedback before a wider public beta arrives, which is expected in the coming weeks.

Expectations around iOS 26.4 have centered on the next generation of Apple’s assistant features, especially the more personalized version of Siri first previewed during last year’s developer conference. However, early indications suggest that some of those capabilities may not arrive in this cycle, with potential delays pushing parts of the rollout into later software releases.

Even with potential postponements, the beta is still expected to introduce incremental additions, including new AI-assisted tools such as image generation and enhanced web search capabilities within the assistant framework. The release also continues Apple’s broader strategy of expanding on-device intelligence features while gradually integrating them across system apps.

Beyond AI features, the release is anticipated to include smaller user-facing enhancements, including the addition of new emoji characters. These iterative updates have become a routine part of Apple’s mid-cycle releases, often adding visual and personalization features that build on major version launches without changing the overall platform direction.

For developers, the current beta period also offers an early look at framework and API adjustments that may affect app compatibility and performance. As with earlier versions of iOS 26, testing during this phase allows developers to adapt applications before updates reach general users.