Apple Releases iOS 18 Beta 4: Bug Fixes and Minor Enhancements Take Center Stage

Apple has quietly released iOS 18 Beta 4, focusing primarily on bug fixes and stability improvements. This update comes with a few minor feature enhancements, but developers are primarily encouraged to test for issues and provide feedback.

Stability and Bug Fixes at the Forefront

While previous betas introduced new features, Beta 4 prioritizes a smoother user experience by addressing bugs reported by developers. This focus is crucial for ensuring a seamless transition for users when the final version of iOS 18 is released later this year.

“This beta release demonstrates Apple’s commitment to delivering a polished and reliable software experience,” source

a developer testing the iOS 18 beta.

“The focus on bug fixes and stability is essential for a smooth transition for users.”

Notable Bug Fixes and Improvements

The release notes for iOS 18 Beta 4 highlight several key areas of improvement:

• Accessibility: Fixes for issues with background sounds, Sound Recognition and Actions on iPad Pro models with M4, and Music Haptics disappearing in Accessibility Settings.
• Camera: Addresses issues with background replacement, slow first portrait capture, and camera functions taking time to work after booting.
• Control Center: Fixes for overlapping page controls, incorrect app icon appearance, and lingering empty pages.
• CoreML: Resolves an issue with the CoreML Model Deployment API being unavailable.
• HomeKit: Fixes for accessory firmware updates not being offered after rebooting.
• Health: Addresses issues with medication logging, Cardio Fitness notifications, and Cycle Tracking display.
• Maps: Introduces new features like Place ID, result types for MKLocalSearch.Request, and the Place Card API.
• Messages: Fixes for incorrect send message sound playback and multi-part SMS notifications.
• Photos: Addresses issues with iCloud Photo Library syncing.
• SwiftUI: Numerous fixes for issues with gestures, scroll views, Navigation Split View, and other SwiftUI components.
• StoreKit: Introduces new features for Subscription Store View, including custom control styles and improved transaction APIs.
• WidgetKit: Addresses issues with control widgets, including rendering, configuration, and label views.

Public Beta now available!

The beta version is now available to the public, allowing a wider range of users to experience the latest features and provide further feedback to Apple. Previously, the release was only available to developers.

Looking Ahead

With the release of iOS 18 Beta 4, Apple continues to refine and polish the upcoming operating system. As the beta program progresses, we can expect more updates and improvements before the final version is released to the public later this year.