On Monday, Apple unveiled its long-awaited iOS 18.4 update for the iPhone, enhancing its suite of Apple Intelligence features. Among the highlights are Priority Notifications and the introduction of Visual Intelligence for iPhone 15 Pro models. This update also expands the reach of these AI capabilities to regions including India, allowing users to access features without the necessity to set their device and Siri language to English (US).
The iOS 18.4 update brings several new functionalities, additional toggles in the Control Centre, new emojis, and a dedicated app for customizing Apple Vision Pro features.
iOS 18.4 Update for iPhone: Availability
According to Apple, the iOS 18.4 update broadens the support for Apple Intelligence features to include languages such as Chinese (Simplified), English (India, Singapore), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish. This means that iPhone users in India can now benefit from the AI features without needing to change their device’s language settings.
iOS 18.4 Update for iPhone: Features
A significant new feature of the update is the support for Visual Intelligence on the iPhone 15 Pro models. Initially launched with the iPhone 16 series in September, Visual Intelligence is a visual lookup tool that employs Apple Intelligence to provide insights about objects and locations. Users can summarize text, translate between languages, and identify phone numbers or email addresses to add them directly to their contacts. Additionally, with an enabled web search feature, users can look up products, solve math problems, or inquire with ChatGPT for further information.
Although the new Camera Control button is specific to the iPhone 16 lineup, users of the iPhone 15 Pro can access this feature through the Action button and a special toggle in the Control Centre.
Furthermore, iOS 18.4 introduces an Apple Vision Pro app for iPhone. This app allows users to download apps and games compatible with the Vision Pro through the App Store, discover curated films and shows designed for the mixed reality headset, receive tips, and access additional information. Another notable feature, Review Summaries, aggregates information from user reviews on an app or game within the App Store, providing a quick overview for prospective users without the need to sift through all individual reviews.
The update also includes new toggles for the existing functionalities of talking to Siri and Visual Intelligence. In addition, an Ambient mode toggle has been added, enabling users to play ambient soundscapes in the background. With iOS 18.4, the Apple News+ app enriches its offerings by showcasing recipes from global cuisine publishers and providing a catalogue for users to browse and find their ideal dish. The Image Playground app has also expanded its style options to include Sketch alongside animation and illustration.
