What’s actually new in iOS 26.4 beta 1?
Dear, audience 💜
I updated to iOS 26.4 beta 1 and immediately started playing my favorite game: spot the tiny aesthetic changes.
Some are subtle. Some are actually useful. And some… are very beta behavior.
Here’s everything I noticed comparing iOS 26.4 beta 1 to 26.3:
What changed visually + functionally:
1. App Store — cleaner account page
The account menu is more simplified with small text placement changes. It feels less cluttered and easier to scan.
2. Apple Music — new splash screen
You’ll see a “What’s New in Apple Music” screen showing:
• Concerts near you
• Tour dates
• New full-page artwork design
3. Apple Music Library — tiny top menu adjustment
Very subtle, but spacing and layout feel more balanced and intentional.
4. Apple Music Account page — simplified
Matches the App Store redesign. Cleaner. Minimal. Easier on the eyes.
5. Now Playing screen — full background glow
This is one of my favorite changes.
The album art expands into a full background and blends seamlessly into the Play Next list. It feels modern and aesthetic.
6. AI Playlist creation (Playlist Playground)
You can now generate playlists using AI.
You type a vibe, mood, or theme — and it builds one for you.
Yes. Your phone is now your DJ.
7. Wallpapers — removable default wallpapers
You can now delete unused default wallpapers.
This makes the wallpaper picker feel cleaner and less overwhelming.
8. New widgets — Ambient Music
Available in small and medium sizes.
Perfect for aesthetic home screens and calm listening.
9. Stolen Device Protection — now ON by default
This is huge for security. Your phone is more protected automatically without needing manual setup.
Problems I noticed so far (beta things):
• Hidden apps folder shows a blank icon instead of the hidden folder style
• AirDrop wouldn’t turn on initially
Typical beta behavior. Nothing shocking, but noticeable.
💜 Mini Must-Knows
• You can find AI playlists in Apple Music → Library → Playlists → Playlist Playground
• Remove default wallpapers: Settings → Wallpaper → Customize → Delete unused ones
• If AirDrop doesn’t work: toggle Bluetooth + Wi-Fi off/on or restart your phone it still may not work or mess up again, though.
Bonus tip: beta updates may affect battery for the first 24–48 hours while indexing finishes.
Overall thoughts:
This update feels very aesthetic-focused. Cleaner menus, more immersive music visuals, and smarter personalization.
Not massive. But intentional.
It’s giving polish. It’s giving minimal. It’s giving calm tech energy ✨
Save this if you’re thinking about updating.
Follow for more aesthetic tech breakdowns and real beta experiences.
-Sincerely,
Tee 💜🫶🏽
Having spent some time with iOS 26.4 beta 1, I can say this update brings a fresh, polished look that feels quite deliberate despite being a beta release. The App Store and Apple Music account pages now offer a much cleaner and minimalist layout, which really helps in navigating through menus without feeling overwhelmed. I particularly appreciate the new Apple Music splash screen highlighting concerts and tour dates—it feels like Apple is leaning into a richer, more engaging music experience. The redesigned Now Playing screen has become my favorite change: the album art background glow gives a modern, immersive vibe that enhances my listening sessions. It’s subtle but impactful. Another highlight worth noting is the AI-driven Playlist Playground. Typing a mood or vibe and having the phone create a custom playlist feels like having a personal DJ on demand. I’ve used the playlists for different moods, and they’re surprisingly relevant, making it a fun tool for music exploration. From a customization perspective, being able to remove unwanted default wallpapers is a nice touch. It declutters the wallpaper selection process, allowing me to focus on wallpapers I truly like. The addition of Ambient Music widgets, available in small and medium sizes, further complements iOS’s aesthetic focus—perfect for setting a calm and stylish home screen. Security-wise, having stolen device protection automatically enabled really gives peace of mind. It adds an extra security layer without manual configuration, which is a big win. During my testing, I did notice typical beta quirks like a blank icon for hidden app folders and AirDrop initialization issues. Interestingly, toggling Bluetooth and Wi-Fi or restarting the phone helped temporarily, but instability was still present at times. A useful tip is that beta updates might cause increased battery usage for a day or two while the system finalizes indexing. This transient battery drain is something to expect, so don’t be alarmed if you see a dip initially. Overall, iOS 26.4 beta 1 impresses with its purposeful design tweaks and smarter music personalization features. It doesn't overhaul the experience drastically but adds layers of polish and calm energy that enhance daily interactions. For anyone interested in the aesthetics and utility of iOS and Apple Music, this beta is definitely worth exploring.
It does feel like Thai update is cleaning up the phone with more aesthetically pleasing features.