Apple has officially rolled out iOS 18.4, bringing significant changes and security enhancements that make updating your iPhone a must.
While Apple’s iOS updates often receive mixed reactions, iOS 18 faced particularly harsh criticism when it launched in September last year. Changes to the photo gallery and other features frustrated many users, prompting some to seek ways to revert to an earlier version. However, the return of a long-awaited calculator function and the introduction of a groundbreaking tool have somewhat improved its reception.
Now, the release of iOS 18.4 has been widely praised, thanks to several key additions and 62 security vulnerability fixes. Much like the previous update, this makes downloading it an essential step for all iPhone users.
Key Features of iOS 18.4
According to Forbes, the update introduces “8 new emojis, a Sketch Style option in Image Playground, recipes in Apple News+, and improvements for organizing and filtering photos,” alongside important security and bug fixes.
The update is 3.42 GB in size and is available for download now. To install it, go to your iPhone’s Settings, navigate to Software Update, and begin the process. If you need extra storage space, consider clearing unnecessary files to make room.
Among the security fixes, iOS 18.4 resolves a kernel issue (CVE-2025-30432) that previously allowed malicious apps to repeatedly attempt password entries on a locked device, eventually triggering a timeout that locked users out. Updating ensures protection against this and other vulnerabilities, making it crucial to install as soon as possible.
However, some social media users have criticized the update’s large size compared to its content. One Reddit user sarcastically noted, “3.42 GB, 8 new emoji… That’s some very heavy emoji.” Another commented, “If emojis are the top new feature, we might have hit peak iOS.”
Siri AI Update Delayed but Expands Language Support
Originally, iOS 18.4 was expected to launch with Apple’s AI-powered Siri upgrade. However, this feature has been postponed until at least iOS 19, following Apple’s decision to remove its AI advertisements.
Despite this delay, the update does introduce AI support for French, German, Italian, and Spanish users, as well as those in the UAE and Hong Kong.
Hidden Safari Feature That Removes Annoying Pop-Ups
A newly introduced iOS 18 feature has surprised many iPhone users, as it effectively eliminates distracting pop-ups while browsing.
Although iOS 18 initially faced criticism, several of its additions, including the return of a long-missed calculator function, have helped redeem it. One lesser-known but game-changing addition is Safari’s Hide Distracting Items setting, also known as Distraction Control.
This feature allows users to remove unwanted elements from webpages permanently. For example, one Reddit user, u/Arkid777, demonstrated how it can eliminate banner ads that interfere with an online calculator.
Many users have praised this addition, with one calling it the “most useful thing in iOS 18 so far” and another dubbing it the “real MVP of iOS 18.”
Apple has further improved Distraction Control with iOS 18.2, allowing users to scroll while the setting is enabled, making it even more convenient.
To use this feature in Safari, simply:
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Tap the Page Menu button (a rectangle with two horizontal lines underneath) in the Smart Search field.
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Select Hide Distracting Items.
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Tap the elements you want to remove.
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Press Done.
These distractions will no longer appear while browsing, and the feature can be used on various static elements, not just ads or pop-ups.
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