Apple has begun releasing a new software update for its smartphones on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The company announced the availability of the latest iOS and iPadOS versions, alongside updates for its Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro devices.
The updates introduce several new features, including a “Concerts” function within the Music app and the addition of “Apple Creator Studio” to the Freeform app. Accessibility improvements include options to reduce bright effects and parallax effects. The update also adds support for the AirPods Max 2 wireless headphones and introduces eight new emojis, alongside improvements to keyboard accuracy during quick typing. A number of bug fixes and security enhancements are also included, though specific vulnerabilities addressed have not yet been publicly detailed.
The iOS 26.4 update is compatible with the iPhone 17 series, including the iPhone Air, as well as iPhone models from the 11 series onward and the iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later. IPadOS 26.4 supports iPads from the 8th generation onward, iPad mini (5th generation) and later, iPad Air (3rd generation) and later, and iPad Pro models from the 3rd generation (12.9-inch) and 1st generation (11-inch). All updates are available as free downloads.
Notably, iPhone XS and XR models, and the 7th generation iPad, which were supported by iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 respectively, are not eligible for the latest updates. Owners of these older devices will not be able to upgrade to iOS 26 or iPadOS 26.
The release follows a series of previous updates, including iOS 26.0 and iPadOS 26.0, as well as incremental releases like iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, iOS 26.2, iPadOS 26.2, and iOS 26.3 with iPadOS 26.3. This latest iteration builds on those improvements with the new features and fixes.
Here’s a breakdown of the key improvements:
iOS 26.4
This update introduces “Concerts” in Music and eight new emojis, along with other features, bug fixes, and security updates for iPhone.Apple Music
• “Concerts” lets you discover shows nearby from artists in your library, and receive recommendations for new artists based on your listening habits.
• Offline Music Recognition in Control Center identifies songs even without an internet connection, displaying results when connectivity is restored.
• Curated playlists are now available through “Sleep,” “Chill,” “Focus,” and “Wellbeing” Ambient widgets on the Home Screen.
• Full-screen album art and playlist pages provide a more immersive visual experience.Accessibility
• A new “Reduce Bright Effects” setting minimizes flashing elements like buttons.
• Captions settings are now accessible directly from the captions icon during media playback, simplifying customization.
• The “Reduce Motion” setting further reduces Liquid Glass animations for users sensitive to screen movement.This update also includes:
• Support for AirPods Max 2.
• Eight new emojis, including a killer whale, trombone, landslide, ballet dancer, and distorted face.
• Freeform now includes Apple Creator Studio, offering advanced image creation and editing tools, and a premium content library.
• You can now quickly mark reminders as urgent from the Quick Toolbar or with a long press, and filter urgent reminders in Smart Lists.
• “Share Purchases” allows family members to make purchases using their own payment methods without requiring family organizer approval.
• Improved keyboard accuracy when typing quickly.For details on Apple software update security content, visit: https://support.apple.com/ja-jp/100100
Some features may not be available in all regions or on all iPhone models. See more details: https://www.apple.com/jp/ios/feature-availability/
As with any software update, performance and battery life may be affected. More information: https://support.apple.com/ja-jp/125039
iPadOS 26.4
This update introduces “Concerts” in Music and eight new emojis, along with other features, bug fixes, and security updates for iPad.Apple Music
• “Concerts” lets you discover shows nearby from artists in your library, and receive recommendations for new artists based on your listening habits.
• Offline Music Recognition in Control Center identifies songs even without an internet connection, displaying results when connectivity is restored.
• Curated playlists are now available through “Sleep,” “Chill,” “Focus,” and “Wellbeing” Ambient widgets on the Home Screen.
• Full-screen album art and playlist pages provide a more immersive visual experience.Accessibility
• A new “Reduce Bright Effects” setting minimizes flashing elements like buttons.
• Captions settings are now accessible directly from the captions icon during media playback, simplifying customization.
• The “Reduce Motion” setting further reduces Liquid Glass animations for users sensitive to screen movement.This update also includes:
• Support for AirPods Max 2.
• Eight new emojis, including a killer whale, trombone, landslide, ballet dancer, and distorted face.
• Freeform now includes Apple Creator Studio, offering advanced image creation and editing tools, and a premium content library.
• You can now quickly mark reminders as urgent from the Quick Toolbar or with a long press, and filter urgent reminders in Smart Lists.
• “Share Purchases” allows family members to make purchases using their own payment methods without requiring family organizer approval.
• Improved keyboard accuracy when typing quickly.For details on Apple software update security content, visit: https://support.apple.com/ja-jp/100100
Some features may not be available in all regions or on all iPad models. See more details: https://www.apple.com/jp/ios/feature-availability/
As with any software update, performance and battery life may be affected. More information: https://support.apple.com/ja-jp/125039
■Related Links
• S-MAX
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• S-MAX – Facebook page
• iOS 26 Related Articles – S-MAX
• iPadOS 26 Related Articles – S-MAX
• About iOS 26 Updates – Apple Support (Japan)
• About iPadOS 26 Updates – Apple Support (Japan)
• Apple Security Updates – Apple Support
