iOS 16.4: the complete list of new features

iOS version 16.4 isavailable since March 27, 2023. Same for iPadOS 16.4. Discover all the changes these updates bring for iPhone and iPad, including other bug fixes and security improvements, here.

Please note that all iPhones and iPads supporting iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 can install iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 once available to everyone.

• See the list of iOS 16 compatible iPhones
• And the list of iPadOS 16 compatible iPads

What are the major new features for iOS and iPadOS 16.4?

• Safari: thanks to an update to the WebKit engine from Apple, users can benefit from notifications for sites installed on the home screen (called web apps) and these are compatible with Concentration mode
• Notification pads: any web app added to the home screen as a Safari shortcut can display notification stickers
• Third-party browsers: Chrome, Firefox, and other Safari alternatives can also add a site shortcut to the iOS 16 home screen
• Shortcuts:new options to control the lock screen, always-on screen and Stage Manager (iPad and Mac only). Also added a notification action spoken by Siri and other miscellaneous actions, such as connecting to a VPN, searching the bookstore, changing AirDrop receive settings, and others
• Mastodon :iMessage supports link previews from the Mastodon network
• WebKit:other new featuresfor developers, especially on the API side
• 31 new emojis: shaken face, new colors for the heart, Wi-Fi sign, goose, bird wing, donkey, elk or even ginger, fan, comb and maracas are on the menu

• Beta test program: updates are now easier to access for developers, but harder for others, because each installation file (called “profile”) is now linked to an Apple ID and can therefore no longer be shared. On the other hand, in the update window, it is possible to change Apple ID only to download a beta
• 5G: users can choose to only use this network for downloading (speed: up to 5 Gb per second), but beware of mobile data consumption and therefore your telephone subscription bill – the operator must be compatible
• Apple Podcasts :the channels are now grouped together in a dedicated space to easily find the ones you follow. You can finally resume an episode in progress (where you left off, CarPlay compatible), start a saved episode or delete one. And the app also sees search improved on CarPlay
• Concentration: the modeAlways onof the screen is available among filters and as a programmable action
• Siri :It seems that for some users under a version prior to iOS 16.4, Siri is already able to turn off the iPhone thanks to the following request “Hey Siri, turn off the iPhone”. To the editorial staff of iPhon.fr, not all iPhones and iPads are capable of this. iOS 16.4 would be a game changer on this level by making the procedure functional for everyone
• Apple Music: makeover with new quick access button to your profile

iOS 16.4 for Apple Music: the pop-up for adding to the library is very small at the bottom with haptic feedback and access to the Apple Music account / profile is accessible from the librarypic.twitter.com/VonlfO4PUc

— Timote_rbbe (@timote_rbbe)February 16, 2023

• AppleCare+: your Apple insurances are listed in the Settings app
• Messages: better overview of content shared via Mastodon

• Accessibility:a setting allows you to limit the brightness of videos that are dangerous for epileptics
• Cards:new widgets to track your packages, to be placed on the home screen
• Maison :new app code architecture and support for manual and automatic updates for Matter accessories
• Video game:support for the new PlayStation 5 DualSense Edge Wireless-Controller
• Keyboard: improvements for Korean, Ukrainian and other uncommon foreign languages
• Apple Pencil :Tilt and Azimuth support
• Apple Classical :new clue in the OS code suggesting a potential launch with a next update of iOS 16
• Livres :return of page turning animation

• Car Key :the OS source code contains a mention regarding Car Key, the functionality allowing an iPhone to serve as a car key already deployed. The novelty concerns its operation and the possible abandonment of NFC. Car Key may in the future only support UWB wireless technology. This would limit iPhones, but also compatible cars
• COVID-19 :ability for health agencies to deactivate COVID-19 exposure tracking and notificationsdeployed 3 years ago
• Isolation Vocale :this feature to improve the audio picked up by your iPhone's microphone, and previously effective on FaceTime, WhatsApp and other calling applications, is now also activated for cellular network calls
• Photos iCloud :duplicate removal can be enabled for photos stored on iCloud. Before iOS 16.4, it could only be done locally for photos on iPhone, iPad or Mac

Find all the new iOS 16.4 features illustrated in the video below.

iOS and iPadOS 16.4: important dates in their development

• February 17:first beta
• February 18:first public beta
• February 28:second beta released by Apple
• 8 mars :third beta released by Apple, developers first, then public the next day
• 15 mars :fourth beta released by Apple, developers first, then public the next day
• 22 mars :5 beta released by Apple. This is the RC beta, the last test version before the final version is released.
• 27 mars :final version for everyone

Comment installer iOS 16.4 ?

Go to the settings to update your machine,as described here.

And the other updates?

Apple also launched tvOS 16.4, watchOS 9.4 and macOS Ventura 13.3. Here are the changes for the first two OS mentioned. For macOS Ventura,we summarize the new features in a dedicated article.

• tvOS 16.4 :users now have the ability to trigger updates either manually or automatically for their connected objects compatible with the Matter standard
• watchOS 9.4 :the Apple Watch Series 6 44 mm benefit from a new recalibration of the battery, for a fairer judgment of the state of battery wear by the system. Note also an improvement for alarm clocks and the Cover function to mute the sound,as seen there. Finally, users can finally uninstall native applications from their watch

Editor-in-chief for iPhon.fr. Pierre is like Indiana Jones, looking for the lost iOS trick. Also a long-time Mac user, Apple devices hold no secrets for him. Contact: pierre[a]iphon.fr.