Release Candidate of macOS Tahoe 26.4 & iOS 26.4 Released for Testing

Apple has issued a release candidate build of iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and macOS Tahoe 26.4, to users who are participating in the beta testing program for Apple system software.

The RC (release candidate) build typically matches the final release version, unless any critical bugs or issues are discovered, and usually marks the end of the beta testing period and an imminent public release. Assuming this RC build ends up being the final release version, we will likely see iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and macOS Tahoe 26.4 debut to all users in the near future, likely within the week or two.

There are some new features and changes in macOS Tahoe 26.4, ipadOS 26.4, and iOS 26.4, including a few new Emoji icons like a Bigfoot, new playlist options for Apple Music, RCS messaging support for texts, a compact tab option for Safari on Mac, a new charge limit feature for MacBook battery, and a variety of bug fixes, including a change aimed at fixing the iOS 26 keyboard problems that have been broadly reported by some iPhone users particularly when typing quickly. Release notes are included below.

For non beta users, the latest available system software is the macOS Tahoe 26.3.1 (a) and iOS 26.3.1 (a) security improvements that can be installed onto macOS Tahoe 26.3.1, iOS 26.3.1, and iPadOS 26.3.1.

How to Download iOS 26.4 Release Candidate / iPadOS 26.4 Release Candidate

For iPhone and iPad users in the beta program:

1. Open the “Settings” app
2. Go to “General” and then “Software Update”
3. Install iOS 26.4 or iPadOS 26.4

How to Download MacOS Tahoe 26.4 Release Candidate

For Mac users in the beta testing programs:

1. From the  Apple menu choose “System Settings”
2. Choose “General” and then go to “Software Update”
3. Update to the latest MacOS Tahoe 26.4

When will iOS 26.4 and macOS Tahoe 26.4 be released to everyone?

Since these are the RC (release candidate) builds for beta users, and RC builds typically indicate the final beta build, it’s reasonable to assume the final versions of iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and macOS Tahoe 26.4 will be released in the near future for all users, perhaps by the end of this week or next.

iOS 26.4 RC Release Notes

Release notes included with the iOS 26.4 RC build are as follows:

Apple Music
– Playlist Playground (beta) generates a playlist from your description, complete with a title, description, and tracklist
– Concerts helps you discover nearby shows from artists in your library and recommends new artists based on what you listen to
– Offline Music Recognition in Control Center identifies songs without an internet connection and delivers results automatically when you’re back online
– Ambient Music widget for Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing brings curated playlists to the Home Screen
– Full screen backgrounds give album and playlist pages a more immersive look

Accessibility
– Reduce bright effects setting minimizes bright flashes when tapping on elements like buttons
– Subtitle and caption settings are available from the captions icon while viewing media, making them easier to find, customize, and preview
– Reduce Motion setting more reliably reduces the animations of Liquid Glass for users sensitive to on screen motion

This update also includes the following enhancements:
– 8 new emoji including an orca, trombone, landslide, ballet dancer, and distorted face are available in the emoji keyboard
– Freeform gains advanced image creation and editing tools, and a premium content library, joining Apple Creator Studio
– Mark reminders as urgent from the Quick Toolbar or by touching and holding, and filter for urgent reminders in your Smart Lists
– Purchase Sharing lets adult members in Family Sharing groups use their own payment method when making purchases, without relying on the family organizer
– Improved keyboard accuracy when typing quickly

For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit:
https://support.apple.com/100100

macOS Tahoe 26.4 RC Release Notes

Release notes for Tahoe 26.4 RC are brief and not particularly specific:

This update introduces 8 new emoji, along with other features, bug fixes, and security updates for
your Mac

For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit:
https://support.apple.com/100100

If you notice anything new or interesting in the RC builds, share it with us in the comments below, otherwise stay tuned for the final versions soon.