Apple has released iOS 26.4 public beta 2 and iPadOS 26.4 public beta 2, giving public testers access to the latest refinements ahead of the wider release.
This build focuses less on brand-new additions and more on expanding features introduced earlier in the cycle, while tightening up interface decisions and security improvements.
Cross-platform RCS encryption moves forward
One of the more meaningful updates in this beta is expanded testing for end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging between iPhone and Android users.
While the feature is still labeled as testing-only and will not officially launch with iOS 26.4, it represents a major step toward securing cross-platform conversations beyond iMessage.
Apple Music’s AI features continue to evolve
Apple is continuing to refine the experience inside Apple Music.
The redesigned album and playlist layouts remain in place, and the AI-powered Playlist Playground feature is still active for U.S. users. Apple appears to be gradually tuning both the visual presentation and the recommendation engine before broader expansion.
Search design adjustments expand
The search layout shift first seen in earlier betas is now firmly established.
Both the App Store and Apple Games now feature:
- Search integrated as a standard bottom tab
- The search field positioned at the top of the interface
This brings those apps back in line with the navigation model many users were familiar with prior to iOS 26.
Accessibility and interface refinements
Public beta 2 also includes smaller but noticeable interface adjustments:
- A new Reduce Highlighting Effects toggle under Accessibility settings
- Darker contextual pop-ups in Control Center when using Dark Mode
- Subtle visual polish to account and menu interfaces
- A more transparent Liquid Glass effect in the Home Screen Edit menu
These changes indicate Apple is smoothing out visual intensity and consistency across the system.
A stability-focused beta
Compared to the initial iOS 26.4 preview, public beta 2 feels like a consolidation update. Apple is reinforcing design decisions, expanding encryption testing, and fine-tuning UI behavior rather than introducing headline-grabbing additions.
As always with public betas, further refinements may appear in subsequent builds before the final release.
