By iOS 18.4 Release Candidate Brings AI-Powered Priority Notifications and More
Apple has officially rolled out the iOS 18.4 Release Candidate, bringing a host of new features designed to enhance user experience, improve smart notifications, and offer deeper home automation support. This latest version is expected to be the final beta before the official public release, and it introduces notable upgrades, including AI-driven Priority Notifications, App Store review summaries, and expanded Matter integration.
Let’s dive into everything iOS 18.4 Release Candidate has to offer and how it could improve your iPhone experience.
AI-Powered Priority Notifications in iOS 18.4
One of the most significant additions in iOS 18.4 is the Priority Notifications feature. Apple is leveraging on-device AI to filter and highlight the most important alerts at the top of the Lock Screen. Unlike the traditional method of sorting notifications by time, this AI-driven system ensures that critical messages and time-sensitive alerts get immediate visibility, even if they were received earlier.
How Priority Notifications Work:
- Uses machine learning to analyze notifications and determine relevance.
- Important messages, reminders, or emergency alerts are given priority placement.
- Reduces clutter by minimizing distractions from less critical notifications.
- Helps users stay focused on what matters most without missing urgent alerts.
This feature is expected to make iOS notifications smarter and more intuitive, especially for users who receive a high volume of alerts daily.
iOS 18.4 Improves Matter Support for Smart Homes
Apple is further expanding its Matter compatibility in iOS 18.4, making it easier for users to connect third-party smart home devices to the Apple ecosystem. With this update, iOS now supports Matter-enabled robotic vacuums, giving users more control over their smart cleaning devices via the Apple Home app.
New Smart Home Features in iOS 18.4:
- Better integration with Matter-supported devices.
- Robotic vacuum support, allowing users to control cleaning schedules via Siri or the Home app.
- Improved automation and smart scheduling options.
As Matter continues to evolve as the universal smart home standard, iOS 18.4 ensures Apple users can seamlessly manage more devices than ever before.
AI-Generated App Store Review Summaries
Another AI-powered enhancement in iOS 18.4 is the App Store review summary feature. Instead of scrolling through thousands of reviews, Apple’s AI will generate a concise summary of user feedback, making it easier for potential customers to assess an app’s strengths and weaknesses quickly.
Benefits of AI Review Summaries:
- Saves time by summarizing key takeaways from user reviews.
- Helps users make informed decisions when downloading apps.
- Improves the overall app discovery experience on the App Store.
This update aligns with Apple’s growing emphasis on AI and machine learning, streamlining user experience across iOS.
Other Notable Features in iOS 18.4
Along with its headline features, iOS 18.4 Release Candidate includes:
✅ Bug fixes and performance improvements to enhance stability.
✅ Security patches to protect against vulnerabilities.
✅ Minor UI refinements in various system apps.
Apple continues to refine its iOS experience, ensuring smoother performance ahead of the full public release.
iOS 18.4 Release Date and Compatibility
The iOS 18.4 Release Candidate is expected to be the final version before Apple rolls out the update to the general public. Based on previous patterns, the full iOS 18.4 update should be available for all users within a week or two.
Compatible Devices:
iOS 18.4 will be available for:
📱 iPhone 15 Series
📱 iPhone 14 Series
📱 iPhone 13 Series
📱 iPhone 12 Series
📱 iPhone 11 Series
📱 iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)
To check if your iPhone is running the latest version, go to:
Settings > General > Software Update
Final Thoughts: Should You Update to iOS 18.4?
If you’re eager to experience AI-powered notifications, better smart home integration, and improved App Store summaries, iOS 18.4 is a worthwhile update. With enhanced security, bug fixes, and performance improvements, this release further refines Apple’s ecosystem while introducing meaningful innovations.
For those who prefer stability, it’s always a good idea to wait for the official public release rather than installing the Release Candidate.
