Apple is currently testing iOS 16.4 in beta, which includes a number of new features and changes for iPhone users. Below, we summarize all of these new features and speculate on when iOS 16.4 will be released to everyone.
One of the most popular new features in iOS 16.4 is the introduction of new emoji. These new emoji are part of the Unicode standard for Emoji Update 15.0, which was announced in July 2022. The new emoji include a shaking face, a goose, a hyacinth, and a simple pink heart. The new emoji are also included in the current beta versions of macOS 13.3, watchOS 9.4, and iPadOS 16.4. Users using older versions of these operating systems will not be able to see the new emoji, even if someone who has already updated sends them.
Changes in the beta testing process
With iOS 16.4, Apple is restricting the sharing of iOS beta profiles. In the past, anyone could download the latest iOS betas by installing the beta "profile" on their device. This mainly meant that you could install the developer beta version of iOS without a developer account. With iOS 16.4, however, beta registration will be tied to a developer's Apple ID and accessible directly from the Settings app. Apple explains:
Starting with iOS & iPadOS 16.4 beta, there will be a new option for Apple Developer Program members to enable developer betas directly through Software Update in Settings.
This new option will be enabled automatically on devices that are already enrolled in the program and update to the latest beta version. For this option to appear in Settings, the iPhone or iPad must be signed in with the same Apple ID used to sign in to the Apple Developer Program. In future versions of iOS and iPadOS, developer betas will be enabled through this new setting and configuration profiles will no longer provide access.
New features for Safari and third-party browsers
As described on the WebKit blog, iOS 16.4 gives web apps on the home screen access to push notifications for the first time using the standard HTML5 Web Push API, including badges. Previously, access to the Apple Push Notification Service was only available to App Store apps. Additionally, third-party browsers can now display an interface that allows users to add a website to their home screen.
The Apple Books Animation is back
In iOS 16.4, the Apple Books app has regained its iconic page-turning animation. This animation was removed when Apple redesigned the Books app with the first release of iOS 16.
Changes to Apple Podcasts
Apple Podcasts has library changes, Up Next improvements, and new CarPlay updates.
- Channels in the library: You can easily access the channels you subscribe to and browse the channels of the shows you follow.
- Up Next Improvements: Resume episodes you've started, start saved episodes, and remove episodes you want to skip.
- CarPlay updates: Quickly pick up where you left off with Up Next and find new shows in Browse.
Further innovations in iOS 16.4
- There are some UI improvements and icon changes in the Music app. For example, when you add a song to your queue, there's no longer a full-screen pop-up. Instead, there's a much smaller notification at the bottom.
- The Always-On display can now be linked to Focus mode.
- In the shortcuts there is a new action “Set Always-On Display”, a new action “Lock Screen” and a new action “Set VPN”.
- iOS 16.4 includes a new screen in the Settings app that shows all AppleCare benefits for multiple devices, including iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods.
- iOS 16.4 enables rich previews for Mastodon links in the Messages app.
- There is a new home screen widget for order tracking in the Wallet app.
- With iOS 16.4, users can track the impact of the Always-on Display on battery life.
When will iOS 16.4 be generally available?
iOS 16.4 is currently in developer and public beta. Since Apple now follows a weekly cycle for new betas, it is very likely that iOS 16.4 will be released to the public later this month. For comparison, last year Apple released iOS 15.4 on March 14, after four betas and a final release candidate. This year, the company is behind schedule, but a March release is still possible.
Will the launch of iOS 16.4 be linked to Apple Music Classical?
Brazilian mobile operator Claro recently announced that it is working with Apple to enable 5G Standalone for iPhone owners. More specifically, Claro said that users will have access to this new technology “in March of this year” with the release of iOS 16.4. Although Apple’s plans may still change, this statement confirms that iOS 16.4 will be released in the next few weeks. It should also be noted that Apple Music Classical on March 28th will be released. Although Apple Music Classical is not tied to a specific iOS version, it could be that Apple wants to link the launch of the new app to a new iOS version to increase awareness. (Photo by Victorych78 / Bigstockphoto)
