According to reports, Apple is testing iOS 16.4 and it will include several new features and changes for iPhone users.
The software update will introduce five new features, such as new emoji, push notifications from websites, and more.
Apple has announced that iOS 16.4 will be available in the spring, which began on March 20.
Recent reports suggest that it will be released “in the next three weeks or so,” indicating a public release in late March or early April.
New Features Available In iOS 16.4
For those who may not be aware, all versions of iOS 16 are designed to be compatible with the iPhone 8 and newer models.
Now, let’s take a look at the new features that are coming with this latest software update.
1. New Emoji
The upcoming iOS 16.4 version will introduce new emoji with Unicode 15.0, which includes a variety of options such as a shaking face, a heart in three different color options, a donkey, a moose, a jellyfish, and several others.
2. Web Push Notifications
The upcoming iOS 16.4 will have a new feature that enables opt-in support for web-based push notifications through Safari on iPhones.
This feature allows users to receive notifications from websites just like the notifications sent from apps downloaded from the App Store.
However, only websites that are saved as a web app on the Home Screen can request to send push notifications.
3. Beta Updates Menu
One of the new features of iOS 16.4 is the addition of a “Beta Updates” menu in the Settings app under General → Software Update.
This feature will enable members of Apple’s Developer Program to access developer betas of iOS without the need to install a configuration profile from the Apple Developer website, making the beta installation process easier.
This will also allow users to easily enable public betas of iOS from the same menu.
However, it is important to note that the developer beta option will only appear on iPhones signed in to the same Apple ID used to enroll in Apple’s Developer Program.
This new menu will be the sole way to enable developer betas, preventing configuration profiles from being used and shared online for free, as per Apple’s statement.
4. Podcasts App Improvements
Apple’s Podcasts app will receive significant improvements in iOS 16.4, including new features for both the iPhone and CarPlay.
The update introduces a new Channels menu, which displays a list of podcast channels in one location within the Podcasts app on the iPhone.
In addition, the Up Next queue now includes saved episodes and played episodes from non-followed shows.
CarPlay users will now have access to Up Next and Recently Played queues from the Listen Now tab, as well as podcast recommendations in the Browse tab.
5. New Home App Architecture
The iOS 16.4 update brings back the improved Home app architecture introduced with iOS 16.2, which was temporarily removed due to bugs.
After updating to iOS 16.4, users will have the option to update the Home app with the new architecture, which enhances the app’s performance, efficiency, and reliability in controlling smart home accessories.
Apple has stated that the new architecture is designed to complement the Home app’s support for Matter accessories, which was introduced in iOS 16.1.
