While many anticipated an AI-powered Siri revamp with the iOS 26.4 update, reports suggest its arrival has been pushed to iOS 26.5 and iOS 27. On Monday, the tech giant based in Cupertino rolled out iOS 26.4 Beta 1, bringing a suite of updates and improvements. However, it confirms earlier rumors by not including the much-anticipated AI-enabled Siri. This beta version instead focuses on enhancing the Apple Podcasts app, messaging capabilities, Apple Music, and the device’s Wallpaper Gallery.
What’s New and Redesigned in iOS 26.4 Beta 1?
According to Apple’s release notes for iOS 26.4 Beta 1, developers can now test end-to-end encryption for Rich Communication Services (RCS) chats. It’s important to note that this feature won’t be part of the stable iOS 26.4 release but is slated for a future software update across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS.
Currently, encryption for RCS chats in iOS 26.4 Beta 1 is exclusive to interactions between Apple devices and doesn’t support other platforms like Android. Additionally, this firmware introduces a new ‘Memory Integrity Enforcement’ for apps, designed to offer superior memory safety protection.
Apple also announced an upcoming update for its Podcasts app, expected to launch this spring. This new functionality is already available for testing in the iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and visionOS 26.4 beta versions. It will bring video podcasts to the app, enabling users to stream them using the HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) protocol.
The company highlights that this move will provide creators with unprecedented control and new monetization avenues, while simultaneously delivering an improved viewing experience for users. Listeners will be able to seamlessly switch between audio and video formats, with videos supporting both horizontal and vertical orientations.
While Apple hasn’t officially detailed all new features and design tweaks, insights from 9to5Mac reveal more. The iOS 26.4 Beta 1 reportedly allows users to view album art from selected albums and playlists in full-screen within the Apple Music app. Users can also discover concerts directly through the app.
The Apple Music app’s Profile section has reportedly been redesigned for easier access to common tasks. Furthermore, the iOS 26.4 Beta 1 update is said to empower users to create playlists using text descriptions and AI-generated prompts.
In other news, the Wallpaper Gallery has been revamped to categorize various options more distinctly. The Reminders app now includes a new ‘Smart List’ section for urgent tasks, and an ambient music playlists widget has been introduced for the Home Screen as part of this beta release.