Apple has rolled out iOS 18.4 on March 31, introducing a series of enhancements and fresh features. This update isn’t just about fixes; it includes new emoji and a revamped recipes section in Apple News, enriching the iPhone experience across the board. Notably, iPhone users can now access additional controls in the Control Center, particularly enhancing functionality for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Expanded Control Center Features
With the launch of iOS 18 last September, Apple revamped the Control Center, allowing for more personalized user control. Users can now resize controls and allocate specific functions to their own dedicated pages. The new controls added with iOS 18.4 further enhance this feature, giving it more utility as a central hub for frequently used options.
The latest update brings Ambient Music controls, allowing users to add four new options: Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing. Each option corresponds to playlists designed to help with specific needs. For instance, the Sleep control plays soothing music, beneficial for winding down after a long day. With studies indicating that ambient music can boost learning and improve sleep quality, these additions are particularly relevant for users looking for effective background sounds.
To add these new controls to your Control Center:
1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your Home Screen to open Control Center.
2. Tap the plus (+) sign in the top-left corner.
3. Select Add a Control.
Search for the Ambient Music section or view it directly from the control library. You can choose one or all four options and easily start ambient music that caters to your needs.
To customize the playlist for each control, you can simply:
1. Open Control Center as before.
2. Tap the Ambient Music control you wish to edit.
3. Select the playlist to the right of Playlist.
You’ll be presented with various playlists curated for each control, such as Restful Notes for Sleep. This customization option enables a more tailored experience, connecting users to their preferred playlists seamlessly.
Introducing Apple Intelligence Controls
For users with the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or the upcoming iPhone 16 lineup, iOS 18.4 introduces three new controls under the Apple Intelligence umbrella: Talk to Siri, Type to Siri, and Visual Intelligence. These additions streamline accessibility to Apple’s digital assistant, making it more intuitive to engage with Siri.
To find these new controls:
1. Access Control Center.
2. Tap the plus (+) sign.
3. Choose Add a Control.
The Visual Intelligence control expands the capabilities originally reserved for the iPhone 16 lineup, now available to a wider audience. While this feature enhances usability, users should remain aware that AI tools like Visual Intelligence may not always yield accurate results. Thus, a bit of caution is advisable when interpreting its outputs.
This update marks a significant advancement for users looking to maximize their iPhone’s functionality. The added controls promote a more personalized experience while enhancing everyday tasks. With lingering anticipation around future updates, users can look forward to ongoing improvements and new features that continue to elevate their iOS experience.