Apple Seeds Second Betas of iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 to Developers

18.5 gb on my 17 pro! Big ol update

Probably the new emoji.

So weird the same message about the missing Siri update keeps circulating. Apple never confirmed it would come in 26.4. That’s what the rumour mill hoped and keeps repeating.

The Google deal is far too recent for it to be completed and ready for rollout. A baby understands this.

Except you don't know when that Google deal happened - and there is the fact that they were already working with Google to use Gemini for Apple Idiocy for over a year - or that Google integrates Gemini on third party software every three seconds these days so it wouldn't be a big lift with all these things. Then Google already has integrations into IOS so there is that... Does a baby understand all that? If they partnered with Claude or some other AI platform I would agree.

Personally, just let me install Google Assistant on my phone as a default, stop forcing everyone to reskin WebKit and give me a real alternative browser, and don't make third party voice dication have to open up a url to work (and it doesn't work). Problem solved.

This is a first! Apple really moving quickly with these betas.

So weird the same message about the missing Siri update keeps circulating. Apple never confirmed it would come in 26.4. That’s what the rumour mill hoped and keeps repeating.

The Google deal is far too recent for it to be completed and ready for rollout. A baby understands this.

MacRumors had claimed we wouldn't even get the first beta until March.

Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after Apple seeded the first betas.



Registered developers can download the betas from the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad by going to the General section and selecting Software Update.

iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 add multiple new features to the iPhone and the iPad, but the first beta contained no sign of new Siri capabilities.

A Playlist Playground feature in Apple Music lets you generate songs for any idea, mood, emotion, or activity using a text-based prompt. There's also a Concerts Near You feature for finding local shows, and a redesigned look for albums and playlists with full-page artwork.

Apple Podcasts is getting native video podcasting capabilities that will make it easier to create, distribute, and monetize video podcast content through the Podcasts app. Video episodes will integrate with existing Apple podcasts features, like personalized recommendations and editorial suggestions.

Apple is testing end-to-end encryption for RCS, which will eventually bring full encryption to text conversations between Android and iPhone users. Right now, Apple is testing RCS with iPhone-to-iPhone conversations.

The first beta didn't include new emoji, but we saw signs of them in the code so we might get them in the second beta. The new update is also expected to new emoji characters ('https://www.macrumors.com/2025/07/17/ios-26-emoji-characters/') will include trombone, treasure chest, orca, landslide, and Bigfoot.

Stolen Device Protection is enabled by default, there's a new ambient music widget, new average bedtime metrics in the sleep app, and plenty more. All of the features in iOS 26.4 can be found in our iOS 26.4 beta features guide ('https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-26-4-beta-features/').

Article Link: Apple Seeds Second Betas of iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 to Developers ('https://www.macrumors.com/2026/02/23/apple-releases-ios-26-4-beta-2/')

Hey Apple, let’s think about making it easier for your users to update apps…not harder! Geeez…