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Apple Releases iOS 26.4 with Apple Intelligence

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Friday, February 20th 2026 at 16:45 GMT by TechCrunch
      Locales: UNITED STATES, IRELAND

Cupertino, CA - February 20th, 2026 - Apple today officially released iOS 26.4, a landmark update that broadly deploys its highly anticipated Apple Intelligence (AI) assistant across a significantly expanded range of devices. The rollout, initially seeded to a limited beta group last week, marks a pivotal moment for the company, moving beyond incremental software improvements to deliver a genuinely intelligent and integrated user experience.

For years, Apple has remained somewhat cautious in the realm of artificial intelligence, prioritizing user privacy and data security. However, with iOS 26.4, Apple is boldly stepping into the AI arena, competing directly with Google's Assistant, Amazon's Alexa, and other established virtual assistants. The key differentiator for Apple Intelligence isn't merely its capabilities, but how those capabilities are delivered - seamlessly integrated into the existing Apple ecosystem, with a continued focus on privacy.

The most visible change in iOS 26.4 is the revamped Siri. No longer a simple voice command interpreter, Siri has been fundamentally rebuilt leveraging the power of Apple Intelligence. Users are reporting a substantial improvement in Siri's ability to understand natural language, handle ambiguous queries, and engage in more complex, multi-step conversations. This isn't just about recognizing what you say, but understanding what you mean. For example, a prompt like "Find me photos from my trip to Italy last summer and share the best ones with my family group" - previously requiring multiple steps - can now be handled with a single command.

Beyond basic command execution, Siri now possesses the ability to proactively assist users. Apple demonstrated this feature during the initial unveiling, showing Siri anticipating user needs based on context. For instance, if a user receives a flight delay notification in Mail, Siri will automatically offer to rebook the flight or find alternative transportation. This level of proactive assistance is a significant leap forward for virtual assistants.

Apple's decision to expand the availability of Apple Intelligence to older iPhone and iPad models is also noteworthy. This commitment to inclusivity ensures that a broader user base can benefit from the new features, fostering loyalty and preventing fragmentation within the Apple ecosystem. While newer devices with Apple's latest silicon will undoubtedly deliver the most powerful AI experiences, even users with devices several generations old can expect a noticeable improvement in Siri's performance and responsiveness.

The iOS 26.4 update isn't solely focused on Apple Intelligence. Apple has dedicated significant effort to refining core apps and services. The Photos app has received improvements to its editing tools, with enhanced object recognition and more sophisticated filters. Users can now easily remove unwanted objects from photos with greater precision and achieve professional-looking results. The Mail app benefits from improved email filtering and sorting, intelligently prioritizing important messages and reducing clutter. Safari, Apple's web browser, boasts performance enhancements and bug fixes, resulting in a faster and more reliable browsing experience.

Furthermore, Apple addressed several reported issues affecting device stability and battery life. While specific details of the fixes remain largely technical, user feedback suggests a positive impact on overall system performance. Battery drain complaints, a common issue with major software updates, appear to have been mitigated.

Key Features of iOS 26.4:

• Apple Intelligence (AI Assistant): Widely available across compatible devices; improved natural language processing and contextual understanding.
• Siri Redesign: Enhanced voice capabilities, proactive assistance, and seamless integration with other apps.
• Photos App Updates: Advanced photo editing tools, improved object recognition, and enhanced filters.
• Mail App Enhancements: Intelligent email filtering, improved sorting, and enhanced priority inbox.
• Safari Performance Boost: Faster browsing speeds, improved stability, and bug fixes.
• System-Wide Optimization: Bug fixes and performance improvements addressing stability and battery life concerns.

Users can update to iOS 26.4 by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple recommends backing up devices before initiating the update process. The release of iOS 26.4 signifies more than just a software update; it's a declaration of Apple's ambition to redefine the future of personal technology, powered by intelligent and privacy-focused AI.