iOS 26.4 Beta Release Date: New Report Points to Late February Launch

Apple plans to roll out the first developer beta of iOS 26.4 later this month. The update marks the first public step toward the Apple Intelligence and Siri features announced at WWDC 2024. After months of delays, this release sets a clearer timeline for when users can finally try the changes on their iPhones. In today's edition of the Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman shared the expected schedule. According to the report, Apple aims to release the first iOS 26.4 developer beta during the week of February 23. The update will include early components of the long-promised Siri improvements, though not the full vision Apple outlined last year. Gurman also noted that Apple’s broader software strategy remains cautious this year. He wrote that WWDC will be “a fairly muted affair,” with Apple focusing more on stability and performance than sweeping changes. A more advanced, chatbot-style Siri is still coming, but Apple plans to deliver it in stages across iOS 26.4 and later releases. If Apple sticks to this schedule, developers will test iOS 26.4 first, followed by a public beta later in February or early March. Based on Apple’s usual release cycle, the final version should reach all users toward the end of March. Key Siri and Apple Intelligence features iOS 26.4 is expected to introduce major Siri upgrades: Personal context, which helps Siri find information in notes, emails, and messages In-app and cross-app actions, allowing deeper control over apps On-screen awareness, enabling Siri to act based on what appears on your display The update should also add new emoji, including designs like a pickle, an apple core, a fight cloud, and a treasure chest. Apple previously delayed these features, even after announcing a partnership with Google to use Gemini models for Siri and Apple Intelligence. Now, with iOS 26.4, Apple appears ready to move from promises to testing. Plans can still change, but this is the clearest release window so far.