Apple has released the third developer beta of iOS 26.4. Simultaneously, iPadOS 26.4, macOS 26.4, watchOS 26.4, tvOS 26.4, and visionOS 26.4 are also available in new test versions. With this, Apple is consistently continuing the ongoing beta phase and gradually approaching the final release, which is still expected this spring.
Beta 3 follows two already extensive test versions. While Beta 1 introduced numerous new features and Beta 2 brought targeted adjustments, experience has shown that the third version focuses more on stabilization.
New features, minor design adjustments, or background activations are generally possible. However, at this time, there are no confirmed details regarding specific changes in iOS 26.4 Beta 3.
The new version is currently being analyzed. A separate and detailed report will be published as soon as any visible innovations, functional adjustments, or system-relevant changes are documented.
iOS 26.4 Beta 3 in the context of its development so far
With Beta 3, Apple continues its regular development process. Experience shows that the focus increasingly shifts towards the following later in a beta phase:
- Performance optimizations
- Bug fixes
- System stability
- Fine-tuning of existing functions
Major new features are less frequent in this phase, but cannot be completely ruled out. The third beta is initially available exclusively to registered developers. A public beta should follow shortly.
Looking back: What iOS 26.4 has brought so far
The first beta of iOS 26.4 introduced a comprehensive feature set. This included, among other things:
Media and Apps
- Apple Music's "Playlist Playground" for AI-powered playlist creation
- Concert integration directly in Apple Music
- Full-screen design for albums and playlists
- Video podcasts based on HLS in Apple Podcasts
Security and communication
- Device theft protection is enabled by default.
- Obligation to use biometric authentication for sensitive actions
- Security delays during particularly critical account changes
- Beta test of RCS end-to-end encryption
Important: RCS encryption is not part of the final iOS 26.4 release for all users. It is currently being tested in the beta version and will only be officially rolled out in a later iOS 26 update.
System and detail improvements
- Newly structured background image gallery
- Transparent hotspot data usage per device
- New sleep metric "Average sleep time"
- Return of blood oxygen levels to the central vital data graph
- Ambient Music Widget
- New "Urgent" section in Memories
- Redesigned Apple Account Hub
- EU-specific features for third-party wearables
Beta 2 included, among other things, the expansion of the RCS test phase to iPhone-Android communication, as well as several minor design and system adjustments.
- iOS 26.4: When will the big iPhone update be released?
- iOS 26.4 Beta 2: All features and adjustments
- iOS 26.4: All new features of Beta 1
- iOS 26.4: These changes are barely noticeable
Focus on system integration and performance
With iOS 26.4 Beta 3, the next milestone is approaching. Experience shows that the number of major, visible new features will now decrease further, as Apple focuses on stability and system integration. Typically, a release candidate will follow later in the beta phase, before the final version is made available to all users.
Once specific changes in iOS 26.4 Beta 3 are confirmed, we will cover them separately and in detail. Until then, Beta 3 primarily marks the next stabilization step in the current development cycle.
For those who want to delve deeper into Apple's history and philosophy, here are some suitable book recommendations! (Image: Apfelpatient)
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