iOS 18.4 makes your iPhone faster without new hardware
Another iOS update. Another sixty new features. You know how it is – every few months, Apple promises your iPhone will be even better. Usually, you won't notice much, except that your battery seems to drain faster. But iOS 18.4 does something strange. The update actually makes your phone faster. Without a new chip. Without extra memory. Simply through smarter software.
Users report longer battery life, smoother animations, and fewer crashes. While everyone's fussing over new emoji and custom icons in the Control Center, the real gains lie elsewhere. In the invisible improvements that make your phone feel like you just bought new accessories . Free performance improvements —that doesn't happen often in 2024.
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The invisible revolution of iOS 18.4
Apple has rolled out another update. iOS 18.4 brings sixty new features to your phone, but the most interesting stuff happens under the hood. Users report faster performance, longer battery life, and fewer app crashes. All this without new hardware—purely thanks to smarter software.
This is especially good news for refurbished iPhone owners. Your device will receive a free performance boost normally reserved for newer models. Let's take a look at what this update means for you.
What makes iOS 18.4 different?
Most updates focus on visible changes—new emoji, custom icons, fancy animations. iOS 18.4 takes a different approach. The emphasis is on system optimization. Apple has cleaned up the underlying code, making everything run more efficiently.
Concrete improvements reported by users:
- Apps open 15% faster on average
- Battery lasts 1-2 hours longer
- Fewer hiccups when multitasking
- More stable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections
- Cooler phone during intensive use
The renewed control panel
The control panel has been given a major overhaul. The new "Ambient Music" section lets you choose music based on your mood—useful for concentrating on work or relaxing. The volume and brightness icons now change color when you adjust them, making them more intuitive to use.
A small but welcome addition: the panel remembers where you left off when adding new controls. No more frustrating searching if you accidentally touch the screen.
For devices with Apple Intelligence, there's a separate section for Siri and visual intelligence. The number of available bars for your cellular connection is now displayed in real time – finally, you can immediately see if your network is stable.
Priority notifications: never miss important messages again
One of the most practical additions is the new priority notifications system. This separates important notifications from the daily flood of app messages. You can set the priority for each app.
This is how it works:
- Go to settings > notifications
- Select the desired app
- Turn priority notifications on or off
- Important notifications appear at the top of your screen
Ideal for work emails, calendar appointments, or messages from specific contacts. The rest of your notifications will still arrive, but without overshadowing the urgent matters.
Photos app finally gets organized
The Photos app has received several improvements that make managing your photo library easier. You can now filter photos that aren't in an album—handy for organizing those forgotten vacation snaps.
New sorting options:
- Last modified (finally!)
- Filter by albums or folders
- View photos synced from Mac or PC separately
- Arrange media types and utilities in your own order
The album view now shows smaller preview photos, allowing you to see more albums at a glance. This saves you a lot of scrolling through large photo collections.
Safari and other app updates
Safari has received subtle but useful changes. Your recent searches now appear when you open a new tab—handy if you frequently visit the same sites. You can disable this in your privacy settings if you don't like it.
The video player has new forward and rewind animations. Not only does it look better, but it also provides clearer feedback on where you are in the video.
Other app improvements:
- Passwords app shows timer for two-factor authentication codes
- Podcasts got new home screen widgets
- Messages has a clearer genmoji button
- Apple News+ adds food section with recipes
Seven new emoji (yes, here they are again)
Of course, new emojis are also included. This time, there are seven, including a smiley face with bags under its eyes. Not earth-shattering, but the teenagers in the house are happy with them. Also new: different fingerprints for more diversity.
Smart home is getting smarter
The Home app now supports Matter-compatible robot vacuums. You can control them like other smart home devices—handy if you've already built an ecosystem. Also new: a companion app for Apple Vision Pro, though that will be a while off for most Dutch users.
Practical tips for the update
Before you update, some recommendations:
- First make a backup via iCloud or your computer
- Make sure you have at least 3 GB of free space
- Charge your battery to at least 50%
- Update preferably via Wi-Fi, not via mobile data
- Schedule the update overnight - it may take 30-60 minutes
Which devices will get iOS 18.4?
iOS 18.4 is available for iPhone XS and later. This means older refurbished models will also receive the update. An iPhone 11 or 12 runs the new software perfectly fine—you don't necessarily need the latest model.
Compatible models:
- iPhone XS, XS Max, XR
- iPhone 11 series
- iPhone 12 series
- iPhone 13 series
- iPhone 14 series
- iPhone 15 series
- iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation)
Known issues and solutions
As with every update, there are a few teething problems. Users are occasionally reporting issues with Bluetooth headphones losing connection. Apple is working on a fix, but until then, you can usually resolve the issue by re-pairing your headphones.
Some apps still need to be updated for full compatibility. Banking apps generally work well, but to be sure, check whether your bank has issued any warnings.
Installing the update
Ready to update? Follow these steps:
- Go to settings > general > software update
- Tap 'download and install'
- Enter your access code
- Accept the terms
- Please wait for the download to complete
- The installation will start automatically (or schedule it for tonight)
Conclusion: an update that matters
iOS 18.4 proves that software updates can be more than just cosmetic. The improved performance and battery life make a noticeable difference in daily use. For owners of older devices, it feels like a second youth for your phone.
The new features are welcome, but not revolutionary. Priority notifications and the improved Photos app are the highlights. The rest consist of minor quality improvements that increase usability.
Whether you have a brand new iPhone or a refurbished model , iOS 18.4 is a solid update that's worth installing. The performance improvements alone justify the download time.
An update that lives up to its promises
iOS 18.4 shows that Apple can still surprise you. No bells and whistles, but real performance improvements you'll notice every day. Your phone will be faster, the battery will last longer, and apps will crash less often—without having to buy a new iPhone . Priority notifications and an improved Photos app are welcome bonuses.
For once, a free update is more than just marketing talk. Just install it , especially if your device is a bit older. Your phone will feel like new again.
