iOS 26.4: Apple to Expand RCS and Overhaul Siri This Spring

Reports indicate that Apple is preparing a major update with the upcoming iOS 26.4, scheduled for a developer beta release during the week of February 23. This version marks a significant shift in Apple’s communication strategy, moving to further marginalize traditional SMS in favor of a robust RCS (Rich Communication Services) 3.0 implementation. The update aims to provide a native chat experience between iPhones and Android devices, complete with high-res media, typing indicators, and, most importantly, cross-platform end-to-end encryption.

Beyond messaging, iOS 26.4 is set to deliver the long-awaited Siri AI overhaul first teased at WWDC 2024. Powered by a mix of Apple Intelligence and a new partnership with Google’s Gemini models, the upgraded Siri will feature “On-screen Awareness” and “Personal Context,” allowing the assistant to understand what you are looking at and search your private data to complete complex tasks.

This update follows Apple’s 2025 decision to jump from iOS 18 to iOS 26, a branding change designed to align the software version with the current year across all Apple platforms. While the “green bubble” remains for non-iMessage chats, the functional gap is expected to virtually disappear with this release.

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