Reports reveal that iOS 16.4 includes a handful of new features and changes for the iPhone which Apple continues to test.
In total, five new features are coming with the software update, which includes the features like new emoji, push notifications from websites, and more.
As its date of release is coming near, Apple says iOS 16.4 will be available in the spring, which has already begun on March 20 .
Recent media reports say that it should be released “in the next three weeks or so,” meaning a public release is likely in late March or early April.
New Features Available In iOS 16.4
For the unawares, all versions of iOS 16 are compatible with the iPhone 8 and newer. In the meantime, let’s go through these new features.
1. New Emoji
As the name suggests, iOS 16.4 adds new emoji introduced with Unicode 15.0.
It includes a shaking face, a heart in three new color options, a donkey, a moose, a jellyfish, and others.
Image Source – www.macrumors.com
2. Web Push Notifications
This feature includes opt-in support for web-based push notifications via Safari on the iPhone.
Basically, this feature allows users to receive notifications from websites through Safari, just like notifications sent from App Store apps.
It is noteworthy here that only websites that a user saves as a web app on the Home Screen can request to send push notifications.
3. Beta Updates Menu
iOS 16.4 is introducing a new “Beta Updates” menu in the Settings app under General → Software Update.
This new feature will allow members of Apple’s Developer Program to access developer betas of iOS without needing to install a configuration profile from the Apple Developer website, simplifying the beta installation process.
This will also allow you to easily enable public betas of iOS from the same menu.
Please note here that the developer beta option will only appear on your iPhone if the device is signed into the same Apple ID you used to enroll in Apple’s Developer Program.
This will be helpful for the future iOS releases as Apple says this new menu will be the only way to enable developer betas, preventing configuration profiles from being used and shared online for free.
4. Podcasts App Improvements
When it comes to Apple’s Podcasts app, iOS 16.4 introduces several new features across the iPhone and CarPlay.
Further, a new Channels menu in the Podcasts app provides a list of podcast channels all in one place on the iPhone.
At the same time, the Up Next queue now includes episodes listeners have saved to their Library and episodes that they play from shows they do not follow.
Now, CarPlay provides access to the Up Next and Recently Played queues from the Listen Now tab, along with podcast recommendations in the Browse tab.
5. New Home App Architecture
As the feature suggests, iOS 16.4 reintroduces Apple’s revamped Home app architecture, which was initially rolled out with iOS 16.2 but temporarily pulled due to bugs.
Once you are done updating to iOS 16.4, an optional update is available in the Home app with new underlying architecture.
This new architecture improves the app’s performance, efficiency, and reliability for controlling smart home accessories, according to Apple.
This new architecture from Apple follows the Home app gaining support for Matter accessories in iOS 16.1.
