Apple Drops iOS 18.4 – Here's Everything That's New and Awesome

iOS 18.4 Update: Priority Notifications, Genmoji & More

It’s that time again, fellow iPhone adventurers – Apple has rolled out iOS 18.4, and it’s more than just a bug-fix update. This one brings some serious upgrades that fuse AI smarts with user-focused enhancements, especially in how we handle notifications, photos, and even how we chat with Siri.

I downloaded the update as soon as it dropped (because of course I did), and after playing around with it for a couple of days, I’ve got the full scoop on what’s changed – and which updates are actually game-changers. Spoiler alert: Priority Notifications? Kind of a life-saver.

1. Priority Notifications – The AI Butler We Didn't Know We Needed

One of the standout features in iOS 18.4 is Priority Notifications. Using Apple’s AI magic (a.k.a. Apple Intelligence), your lock screen now knows to bump the most important alerts to the top.

Missed a message from your boss or a critical reminder to pay your rent? Not anymore. This thing is like a digital assistant that actually pays attention. After using it for a couple of days, I legit started trusting my phone more than my memory. Which says a lot.

2. Apple Intelligence Expands – Bonjour AI!

Previously limited in scope, Apple Intelligence now supports a bunch of new languages including French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese. So if you’re rocking iOS in something other than English, you’re finally getting the full AI experience too.

This also hints at bigger global rollout plans. Apple’s making moves to make Siri and the rest of the AI suite smarter and more international. About time, right?

3. Visual Intelligence Comes to iPhone 15 Pro

Previously exclusive to the iPhone 16 lineup, Visual Intelligence is now unlocked on the iPhone 15 Pro, and it’s accessed via the Action Button.

What does it do? Think real-time photo and video analysis, enhanced by machine learning. It highlights relevant visual details automatically – like faces, objects, or text – making your phone an actual photo wizard. I tried it during a nighttime city walk, and it picked up details I completely missed IRL.

4. Photos App Gets a Useful Glow-Up

Apple keeps refining the Photos app, and iOS 18.4 brings some genuinely useful changes:

• You can now filter images by shared photos or non-album pics.
• Album listings are now sorted by a “Key Photo”, which is just… way more intuitive.
• And yes, you can now bulk-delete or restore all your deleted photos with one tap.

These tweaks may not sound flashy, but they’ve made organizing my chaotic camera roll so much easier.

5. Genmoji Is Here and It's Wildly Fun

If you’ve ever wished emojis could be just a little more you, say hello to Genmoji. This new feature lets you craft custom emojis, giving big Bitmoji vibes but more Apple-flavored.

Whether it’s a cartoon version of you rolling your eyes, or a llama in a space suit (yes, I made that), it’s a hilarious and weirdly personal addition that’s been surprisingly addictive.

6. Control Center Gets a Touch-Up

Design-wise, Apple didn’t hold back. The brightness and sound controls in Control Center got a new look – sleeker and a bit more tactile. It’s a small thing, but these little UX upgrades add up and make the system feel fresher.

7. Type to Siri Gets Smarter

For those moments when talking out loud to Siri isn’t ideal (like, say, in a quiet library or an awkward elevator), the updated “Type to Siri” feature now automatically pops up the keyboard when needed. It’s smarter, faster, and just plain more usable.

I’ve already used this to set reminders mid-meeting without looking like I was texting under the table. Ninja-level stealth.

Worth the Download?

Absolutely. iOS 18.4 is a surprisingly rich update packed with both visible enhancements and under-the-hood power-ups. It’s clear Apple is leaning hard into AI and personalization, and honestly? It's working.

If you’re using an iPhone that supports iOS 18, this update is more than worth your time. From prioritizing your life (literally) to letting you make llama emojis, iOS 18.4 feels like the step forward we didn’t know we needed.

Stay updated with more tech power-ups and Apple deep dives right here at Land of Geek Magazine!

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