iOS 26.4 beta 2: Here’s what’s new

One week after the release of the first beta, iOS 26.4 beta 2 is now available. The update continues to refine new features and changes for iPhone users. There are updates to RCS encryption, the Games app, and more.

iOS 26.4 beta 2 details

iSO 26.4 beta 2 is currently available for developer beta testing. A public beta will likely be released later this week. The build number for the update is 23E5218e.

As we covered extensively last week, iOS 26.4 includes more than 40 changes for your iPhone. There are new features for Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, and much more.

iOS 26.4 beta 2: What’s new?

RCS encryption

Last week’s release of iOS 26.4 added support for testing RCS encryption, but just for iPhone-to-iPhone communication. With iOS 26.4 beta 2, Apple has expanded testing to include messaging between iPhone and Android devices.

Apple says:

In this beta, RCS end-to-end encryption will become available for testing between Apple and Android devices. This feature is not shipping in this release and will be available to customers in future iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS 26 releases. End-to-end encryption is in beta and is not available for all devices or carriers. Conversations labeled as encrypted are encrypted end-to-end, so messages can’t be read while they’re sent between devices. 

Read more: iOS 26.4 beta 2 adds support for testing encrypted RCS between iPhone and Android

Reduce Highlighting Effects

In the Accessibility menu in Settings, Apple has added. new toggle under Display & Text Size: “Reduce Highlighting Effects.” This should reduce some of the effects around the edges of buttons and sliders.

Games app

In iOS 26.4 beta 1, updated the UI in the App Store to move the Search bar back to the top of the Search tab. The Search tab is also now integrated into the bottom tab, instead of floating off to the side by itself.

In iOS 26.4 beta 2, Apple has made that same change to the Games app.

Read more: iOS 26.4 makes two app updates that bring back iOS 18 designs

More small UI tweaks

• When your iPhone is in Dark Mode, menu popups in Control Center will also now show with a dark background.
• There are small changes to the Account Hub interface in the App Store, as noted by Aaron Perris.

Wrap up 

We’ll continue updating this story as we uncover more new features in iOS 26.4 beta 2. If you spot anything new, let us known down in the comments.

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