After months of delays, shifting timelines, and a major AI partnership announcement, iOS 26.4 is shaping up to be one of the most important iPhone updates in years. And now we have a clearer idea of when you’ll actually be able to try it.
First iOS 26.4 beta could arrive the week of February 23
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Apple is targeting the week of February 23 to release the first developer beta of iOS 26.4.
If that timeline holds:
- Developer beta: Week of February 23
- Public beta: Late February or early March
- Final release: Likely late March
As always, timing could shift if Apple runs into last-minute issues. But for now, that’s the roadmap.
Why iOS 26.4 actually matters
These Siri upgrades were first unveiled at WWDC 2024. At the time, Apple suggested they’d arrive during the iOS 18 cycle. That obviously didn’t happen.
Apple later confirmed the delay, and just last month announced a partnership with Google to use Gemini models to power parts of its next-generation Siri and Apple Intelligence features.
Now, after roughly 18 months of waiting, the features are finally expected to land in beta form.
The three major new Siri features in iOS 26.4
1. Personal context
Siri will be able to search through your own information, including:
- Notes
- Messages
- Emails
For example, you could ask Siri about a travel plan mentioned in a text or retrieve specific details from an old note. Instead of just searching the web, Siri will search your digital life.
2. In-app and cross-app actions
This is where things get interesting.
Siri will be able to perform actions inside apps and even across multiple apps. Think multi-step tasks like pulling data from one app and using it in another without you manually jumping between them.
3. On-screen awareness
Siri will be able to understand what’s currently displayed on your screen and act accordingly.
If you’re viewing a message, a webpage, or a photo, Siri can reference that specific content in real time. This makes voice interactions far more contextual and less robotic.
New emoji are also coming
It’s not all AI and deep system intelligence.
iOS 26.4 is also expected to add new emoji, including:
- Apple core
- Fight cloud
- Treasure chest
- And more
Small additions, but they always generate outsized excitement.
The bigger picture
With iOS 26.4, Apple is clearly entering its next AI phase. Between the Gemini partnership and these long-promised Siri upgrades, this update could redefine how people actually use voice assistants on the iPhone.
Of course, everything depends on how polished the first beta feels. Apple has already delayed these features once. It won’t want to stumble again.
For now, mark your calendar for the week of February 23. The next chapter of Apple Intelligence might finally begin.
