Apple is continuing to highlight the Liquid Glass aesthetic that it introduced in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26. The company has shared an updated Liquid Glass Design Gallery that shows off Liquid Glass in third-party apps.


The visual gallery features several iPhone and iPad apps, with screenshots that show the difference between app design in iOS 18 and ‌iOS 26‌.

In the latest edition of our new design gallery, find out how teams of all sizes are taking advantage of the new design and Liquid Glass to create natural, responsive experiences across Apple platforms.

Apps included in the gallery have adopted Liquid Glass for elements like tab bars, navigation buttons, bottom toolbars, and more. Apple also highlights pop-out menu interfaces and the separate search buttons that some apps have implemented, both of which are Liquid Glass design elements that Apple has added to its own apps.

AllTrails, Carrot Weather, Fantastical, Kroger, SketchPro, Trello, and Le Monde are among the apps featured.

Apple previously shared a Liquid Glass gallery after the ‌iOS 26‌ launch, and that gallery provides more Liquid Glass design examples.

Since debuting Liquid Glass, Apple has made small changes like adding a slider bar to the Lock Screen clock for adjusting the Liquid Glass level, but no major updates have been introduced. Rumors suggest that iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 will continue to feature the Liquid Glass aesthetic with little change, but Apple could also add a system-wide slider bar for Liquid Glass opacity adjustments.
This article, "Apple Continues Promoting iOS 26 and macOS 26 Liquid Glass With Updated Design Gallery" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple's software engineers are testing iOS 26.4.1, according to the MacRumors visitor logs, which have been a reliable indicator of upcoming iOS versions.


iOS 26.4.1 should be a minor update that fixes bugs and/or security vulnerabilities, and it will likely be released either this week or next week.

Last month, Apple launched the Studio Display XDR, and it promised to release a Medical Imaging Calibrator that enables the monitor to display DICOM medical imaging. 9to5Mac today reported that the feature has received FDA clearance and is launching this week, so perhaps there will be a macOS 26.4.1 update and/or a Studio Display XDR firmware update too.

The medical feature will allow radiologists to view diagnostic images in apps like Visage 7 directly on the Studio Display XDR, according to Apple.

These updates will come out ahead of iOS 26.5 and macOS 26.5, which are currently in beta.
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Apple today provided public beta testers with the first releases of upcoming iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, macOS Tahoe 26.5, watchOS 26.5, and tvOS 26.5 updates for testing purposes. The public betas come four days after Apple provided the betas to developers, though Apple seeded updated iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 betas to developers earlier today.


After signing up for beta testing on Apple's beta site, public beta testers can download the updates using the Software Update section of the Settings app on each device.

iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, and ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.5 include a new Suggested Places feature for recommending nearby locations to visit, and Apple is also gearing up to start showing ads in Maps.

Apple is testing end-to-end encryption for RCS messages between iPhone and Android users again, and there are proximity pairing, notification forwarding, and Live Activities for third-party wearables in the EU.
This article, "Apple Releases First iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5 and macOS Tahoe 26.5 Public Betas" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today seeded revised first betas of upcoming iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming four days after Apple seeded the initial 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. It's not clear why Apple has seeded new beta updates, but there may be a bug fix that couldn't wait for the second beta.

iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 do not include new Siri capabilities, suggesting any ‌Siri‌ updates are being held until iOS 27. The Maps app has a Suggested Places feature for recommending locations to visit nearby based on trends and recent searches, plus Apple is laying the groundwork for ads.

Apple is again testing end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages between iPhone and Android users. Apple tested the feature in iOS 26.4, but removed it before the update launched.

In the European Union, Apple is testing proximity pairing, notification forwarding, and Live Activities for third-party wearables like earbuds and smartwatches.

More detail on what's new in iOS 26.5 can be found in our beta 1 features guide.
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If you often find yourself adding a track to an Apple Music playlist, going back, and then adding it to other playlists, iOS 26.4 includes an option that could save you bags of time: You can now select multiple playlists when adding a song.


Previously, tapping Add to Playlist would take you to a list of your playlists, and you could only pick one at a time. In iOS 26.4, there's a new multi-select option that lets you check off as many playlists as you like in one go. Here's how it works.

1. In the Music app, find the song you want to add.


2. Long press the song, or tap the three-dot menu (...) next to it.


3. Tap Add to Playlist.
   
   
4. In the bottom-right corner, tap the new multi-select button.


5. Select all the playlists you want to add the song to – each one gets a red checkmark.


6. Tap the checkmark button in the top-right corner to confirm.
   
   

The header at the top of the screen will update to reflect how many playlists you've selected, so you can keep track before confirming.

It might seem like a minor addition, but if you maintain several playlists organized by mood, genre, or occasion, it eliminates so much back-and-forth navigation. It's no exaggeration to say that some users will have been waiting years for this option.

In iOS 26.4, Apple has also given albums and playlists a new fullscreen design so that the album artwork colors style the entire background of the track list and other UI elements to give each album a more immersive, authentic look. To check out what's new, make sure your iPhone is up-to-date with the latest version by going to Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update.
This article, "This Music Selection Tweak in iOS 26.4 Will Save You Bags of Time" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Earlier this week, Apple seeded the first beta of iOS 26.5 to developers. The software update is relatively minor so far, which is not too surprising given that Apple is likely shifting its focus towards iOS 27. Apple is expected to unveil iOS 27 during its WWDC 2026 keynote on June 8, and the update should be released in September.


Below, we outline what is new in iOS 26.5 so far, along with rumored iOS 27 features.

iOS 26.5

iOS 26.5 lays the groundwork for two changes, including end-to-end encryption for RCS in the Messages app and ads in the Apple Maps app.

End-to-end encryption for ‌RCS‌ is a security feature that ensures that messages sent between supported iOS 26.5 and Android devices are encrypted and cannot be intercepted and read by a third party while they are being delivered.

Apple already tested end-to-end encryption for RCS in the iOS 26.4 beta, but the feature did not make it into the final release of iOS 26.4 last week. It remains to be seen if the feature launches with iOS 26.5, or if it will be removed again before beta testing ends and return at some point during the iOS 27 software cycle.

Last month, Apple announced that ads are coming to the Apple Maps app on the iPhone and iPad in the U.S. and Canada starting "this summer," and there is evidence of Apple preparing for that within iOS 26.5's code.


Apple says businesses in the U.S. and Canada will be able to place ads in search results and at the top of a new "Suggested Places" section in the app.

The new "Suggested Places" section is visible in the iOS 26.5 beta.

"Ads on Maps will appear when users search in Maps, and can appear at the top of a user's search results based on relevance, as well as at the top of a new Suggested Places experience in Maps, which will display recommendations based on what's trending nearby, the user's recent searches, and more," says Apple.

Similar to the ads that are already shown in App Store search results on the iPhone and iPad, ads in Apple Maps will have an "Ad" label, and Apple promises strong privacy protections. For example, Apple says a user's location and the ads they see and interact with in Apple Maps are not associated with a user's Apple Account.

Read our coverage of Apple's announcement for more details about the ads.

In the iOS 26.5 beta, Apple is working to extend iPhone features like notifications, Live Activities, and AirPods-like pairing to third-party smartwatches and headphones in the EU, as required under the Digital Markets Act.

Beyond that, iOS 26.5 has only a few other minor changes.

iOS 27

Apple's long-awaited Siri revamp is finally expected to arrive with iOS 27.

The more personalized version of Siri will have understanding of a user's personal context, on-screen awareness, and deeper per-app controls. For example, during its WWDC 2024 keynote, Apple showed an iPhone user asking Siri about their mother's flight and lunch reservation plans based on info from the Mail and Messages apps.


That is not all, though, as iOS 27 will reportedly feature a dedicated Siri app with its own chatbot functionality and conversation history, or users will be able to tap into third-party chatbots such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, and Anthropic's Claude through a so-called "Extensions" feature in the app.

Earlier this year, Apple and Google announced that Gemini will help to power Apple Intelligence's underlying models and features, including the more personalized version of Siri. iOS 27 will likely expand Apple Intelligence to additional Apple apps, and it was rumored that this will include the Apple Calendar app.

iOS 27 will reportedly support 5G satellite internet connectivity, although this functionality might be limited to the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models with Apple's next-generation C2 modem. Additional satellite features have been rumored, including Apple Maps via satellite and the ability to send and receive photos when using Messages via satellite.

iOS 27 may be similar to Mac OS X Snow Leopard, in the sense that Apple is apparently focused on improving "quality and underlying performance." Apple is expected to focus on bug fixes, improved stability, and Liquid Glass design enhancements.

Apple has reportedly tested an updated iPhone keyboard with enhanced autocorrect. The features should debut on iOS 27 if Apple moves forward with it.

Similar to Grammarly, the keyboard "expands autocorrect by offering alternative words."

iOS 27 is not expected to include any major Liquid Glass design changes, but the update may add a system-wide Liquid Glass slider for precisely adjusting the opacity of the interface. A similar slider already exists for the Lock Screen's clock.

Of course, these are only the known or rumored features so far.
This article, "iOS 26.5 and iOS 27 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 26.4 for iPhone and iPadOS 26.4 for iPad have been released by Apple as software updates. The new versions of system software include a few minor new features and changes, a handful of new Emoji icons like Bigfoot, along with various bug fixes and security enhancements. One specific bug that is mentioned in the ... Read More

Camera app received a dramatic redesign with iOS 26, and many iPhone users have found that the new interface is confusing, leading them to believe that some prominent features of iPhone Camera have been removed. For example, many iPhone users running iOS 26 now think Portrait Mode camera has been removed or is no longer ... Read More

iOS 26.4 isn't the major update with new Siri features that we hoped for, but there are some useful quality of life improvements, and a little bit of fun with an AI playlist generator and new emoji characters.

• Playlist Playground - Apple Music has a Playlist Playground option that lets you generate playlists from text-based descriptions. You can include moods, feelings, activities, or make up something entirely nonsensical and let the AI figure out what you mean.


• Ambient Music widget - Apple added a widget for the built-in Ambient Music feature in iOS, so it's quicker to play background sounds. You can choose Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing playlists curated by Apple.


• Emoji - There are eight new emoji characters including trombone, treasure chest, distorted face, hairy creature, fight cloud, orca, landslide, and ballet dancer.


• Reduce Bright Effects - If you dislike Liquid Glass, there's a Reduce Bright Effects setting that cuts down on bright flashes when tapping buttons. Reduce Motion also limits Liquid Glass animations more than it did previously.


• Keyboard Fix - iOS 26.4 fixes an iOS 26 keyboard bug that caused typos when typing quickly.


• Purchase Sharing - Adults in Family Sharing groups no longer have to use the same payment method, and Apple now lets everyone add their own credit or debit card.


• CarPlay AI apps - CarPlay users can use third-party chatbots with ‌CarPlay‌ starting in iOS 26.4. Companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google will need to update their apps with ‌CarPlay‌ support, but the framework is in iOS 26.4.


• Video Podcasts - The Podcasts app has native video episode support with HLS streaming, along with options to swap between audio and video and offline video downloads.


• Average Bedtime - The Sleep feature in the Health app now records average bedtime for the past two weeks to give you a better idea of how your bedtime impacts sleep.


• Stolen Device Protection - Stolen Device Protection is now on by default. It thwarts physical theft and access of your iPhone by requiring biometric authentication for things like viewing passwords and turning off Lost Mode on the iPhone. Some features like changing an Apple ID password have a one-hour security delay.

There are other new additions in iOS 26.4, like offline song recognition in Control Center, nearby concert suggestions and full-page album artwork in ‌Apple Music‌, easier access to subtitle customization options in media apps, and Apple Creator Studio support for Freeform, with details available in our full iOS 26.4 notes article.

Release Date

The iOS 26.4 release candidate is available to developers and public beta testers, and it's likely the update will see an official launch on March 23 or March 24.
This article, "iOS 26.4: Top 10 New Features Coming to Your iPhone" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today released the first Background Security Improvement (BSI) update, replacing the rapid security updates that it used to seed out a few years ago. The first BSI updates address a WebKit vulnerability that could allow maliciously crafted web content to bypass Same Origin Policy. There's a macOS Tahoe 26.3.1, iOS 26.3.1, and iPadOS 26.3.1 BSI update, as well as a ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.3.2 BSI update exclusive to the MacBook Neo.


Apple says that the vulnerability was addressed with improved input validation.

Background Security Improvements were added with iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and ‌macOS Tahoe‌, and Apple tested them in iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, and ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.3 before today's official release.

The updates are meant to provide additional security protections between software updates for Safari, WebKit, and other system libraries. Background Security Improvements can be installed in the Privacy and Security section of the Settings app. Scroll down, and then select the Install option to install the update. If Automatically Install is toggled on, BSIs will be automatically installed when they come out.

Users who opt not to install Background Security Improvements will receive the fixes in a subsequent standard software update.

Apple warns that Background Security Updates can result in "rare instances of compatibility issues." Should that occur, the updates may be temporarily removed and enhanced in another software update.
This article, "Apple Releases Background Security Improvement Update for macOS Tahoe 26.3.1, iOS 26.3.1, and iPadOS 26.3.1" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today introduced the second-generation version of its over-ear AirPods Max headphones, and some of the software requirements in the fine print give us some insight into when Apple's iOS 26.4 update will be released to the public.


To use several of the added features like Live Translation, the AirPods Max 2 will need to be paired with an iPhone running iOS 26.4, an iPad running iPadOS 26.4, or a Mac running macOS Tahoe 26.4.

The AirPods are set to launch in early April, which means iOS 26.4 and its sister updates will need to launch during the same time frame. iOS 26.4 will be here by the first week of April, and it could even launch before the end of March.

We're at the fourth beta now, so the release candidate version could come at any time. The release candidate likely includes ‌AirPods Max 2‌ mentions in the code, so Apple was probably holding back on providing it to developers and public beta testers until the ‌AirPods Max 2‌ were announced.

Apple plans to begin accepting preorders for the ‌AirPods Max 2‌ on Wednesday, March 25. There is no more specific launch date than "early April," which suggests the first week and a half of the month.

Features that require iOS 26.4 include Live Translation, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, "Siri" wake word support, Voice Isolation, and the new Digital Crown controls for using the AirPods Max as a camera button. Apple says the feature set will require the latest AirPods Max firmware as well as the iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.4 software.
This article, "AirPods Max 2 Reveal iOS 26.4 Launch Date" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple has released iOS 26.3.1 for iPhone and iPadOS 26.3.1 for iPad. The new software updates include support for the new Apple Studio Display and Studio Display XDR. There are also unspecified bug fixes included in the small software updates. Separately, Apple has also released macOS Tahoe 26.3.1 update with support for the same displays, ... Read More

Apple today released iOS 26.3.1 and iPadOS 26.3.1, minor updates to the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 operating systems. The software comes three weeks after Apple released iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3.


The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

According to Apple's release notes, the update adds support for the new Studio Display and ‌Studio Display‌ XDR, and it includes unspecified bug fixes.

Apple is also beta testing iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4, major updates that are set to come out this spring.
This article, "Apple Releases iOS 26.3.1 and iPadOS 26.3.1 With Bug Fixes and Studio Display Support" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple has released the third beta versions of iOS 26.4, iPadOS2 26.4, and macOS Tahoe 26.4, for users enrolled in the beta testing programs for Apple system software. The last beta was released a week ago, and the prior a week before that, suggesting an accelerated pace for releasing the final versions of these system ... Read More

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


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. Apple is testing ‌RCS‌ with iPhone-to-iPhone conversations and iPhone-to-Android conversations.

The first two betas didn't include new emojis, but we saw signs of them in the code so we might get them in the third beta. The new update is also expected to new 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.
This article, "Apple Seeds Third Betas of iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 to Developers" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Some iPhone users feel that battery life is worse after updating to iOS 26.3, and that the battery drains faster even after the typical background maintenance routine completes. If you’ve recently installed the update and noticed your battery draining faster than expected, you’re not alone, and there are many complaints online of battery issues with ... Read More

Testing on the iOS 26.4 update is continuing, and Apple released the second beta today. The main new feature is an expansion of RCS encryption testing, but there are a few other small tweaks.

End-to-End Encryption RCS Testing

With the second beta of iOS 26.4, Apple is testing end-to-end encryption for text messages sent between iPhones and Android devices.



End-to-end encrypted messages can now be sent to an Android user, and if encryption is enabled, there will be a lock icon on the message. Encrypted conversations are not available for all devices or carriers during the texting period. iOS users will need to have iOS 26.4, and Android users need the latest version of Google Messages.

Apple does not plan to implement end-to-end ‌RCS‌ encryption in iOS 26.4, but it will come later this year.

Home Screen

The "Edit" menu on the Home Screen uses more transparent Liquid Glass.

Games App

In the Games app, the search bar has moved from the bottom of the display to the top of the display.

App Store and Apple Music

For the account hub options for the App Store and Apple Music, the "Apple Account" wording is now left aligned and has the same rainbow logo as the Apple Account in the Settings app

Accessibility

Under the Display and Text size section of Accessibility, there's a new "Reduce Highlighting Effects" option.

Software Build Numbers

When you're updating to a new iOS update in iOS 26.4, you can tap on the name to see the build number.

Beta Updates

Apple made a change to how betas work in iOS 26.4. If you are have betas toggled on but don't install any betas for a four month period, Apple will automatically switch you to the public release audience.

No Emoji

There are still no new emoji characters, despite signs of them found in the code in the first beta of iOS 26.4.

Playlist Playground

Playlist Playground is still limited to the U.S. and not available in Europe and other countries.

More New Features

We have a list of all the new features that were found in the first beta in our iOS 26.4 feature guide.
This article, "Everything New in iOS 26.4 Beta 2" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple's software engineers are testing iOS 26.3.1, according to the MacRumors visitor logs, which have been a reliable indicator of upcoming iOS versions.


iOS 26.3.1 should be a minor update that fixes bugs and/or security vulnerabilities, and it will likely be released within the next two weeks.

Last month, Apple released iOS 26.2.1 with bug fixes and support for the second-generation AirTag. Likewise, it is possible that iOS 26.3.1 will include support for some of the new products that Apple is expected to announce in the first week of March, such as the iPhone 17e, but this is merely speculation at this point.

Apple is reportedly planning a three-day stretch of product announcements from Monday, March 2 through Wednesday, March 4. Selected journalists and content creators are expected to receive hands-on time with the products at an "Apple Experience" in New York, London, and Shanghai on Wednesday, March 4 at 9 a.m. Eastern Time.

We have not confirmed if there will be any corresponding updates, such as macOS 26.3.1.

iOS 26.3.1 will be a stopgap update between iOS 26.3, released earlier this month, and iOS 26.4, which will likely arrive in late March or early April. While it lacks the personalized version of Siri, iOS 26.4 is shaping up to be a relatively significant update that adds many new features across Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, CarPlay, and more.
This article, "iOS 26.3.1 Update for iPhones Coming Soon as 'Apple Experience' Nears" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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A fair number of iPhone users are complaining of problems with the keyboard in iOS 26. From typing lag, slow responsiveness, sluggish typing, incorrect characters, weird typos, entire words being corrected to the wrong word, aggressive autocorrect and autocorrection failures with typos, missed characters when typing words, and what those irritated say is a general ... Read More

There is a long list of new features in the iOS 26.4 beta, many of which we highlighted yesterday, but we've since discovered several other smaller changes that Apple made in the software.

Health App

iOS 26.4 includes a new Average Bedtime metric for the sleep section of the Health app, providing a better idea of how bedtime can impact sleep quality.



Apple also updated the Vitals section of the Health app in the U.S., and now includes blood oxygen level on the line graph overview that's available each day. In iOS 26.3 and earlier versions of iOS 26, there was a section for the blood oxygen level, but the graph did not include a blood oxygen measurement.

Camera

In the Settings section of the Camera app, there is a new "Audio Zoom" option. The feature causes recorded audio to focus on the subject when the camera is zoomed while recording a video. It can be turned on or off, depending on the audio settings you prefer.

CarPlay

We found mentions of Apple TV support for CarPlay, indicating that Apple will eventually allow users to watch Apple TV content through their car's dashboard when the vehicle is not in motion.



At WWDC 2025, Apple said that it would add support for AirPlaying video content to a CarPlay display, and it appears that feature could come in the near future.

Apple Music

A song can be added to multiple playlists at the same time in the Apple Music app. In the add to playlist interface, there is a list button, and tapping it allows you to select multiple playlists at the same time.

Hotspot Data

Apple moved the location of hotspot data usage. Rather than having data usage metrics tucked away under Cellular, you'll see how much data you've used right in the Personal Hotspot section.

Live Captions

Chinese (Taiwan) is a new language option for Live Captions in the Accessibility section.

Passcode Settings

In the Face ID and Passcode section of the Settings app, when you enter a passcode to access your options, the text is now center aligned instead of left aligned.

Shortcuts

Apple added a Set Charge Limit action to the Shortcuts app. It sets a battery charge limit for the iPhone.

Read More

For more on all of the new features in iOS 26.4, we have a dedicated iOS 26.4 features guide.
This article, "iOS 26.4 Beta Tidbits: Hidden Features You May Have Missed" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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