iOS 18.4: Apple expands Shortcuts and plans Siri upgrades

With iOS 18.4, Apple is bringing a number of new features that are particularly interesting for users of the Shortcuts app. The current beta version shows that Apple is increasingly relying on automation and is thus laying the foundation for future Siri improvements. While some planned functions are not expected to appear until iOS 18.5, users of iOS 18.4 are already benefiting from numerous new Shortcuts actions that allow for deeper control of system settings.

Apple has been working on improving its digital assistant Siri over the past few years. While the progress has often taken place in the background, iOS 18.4 now provides a first concrete glimpse of upcoming changes. The integration of new shortcut actions suggests that Siri will soon become much more flexible and be able to take on a wider range of tasks.

iOS 18.4 brings comprehensive extensions for shortcuts

Apple's Shortcuts app hasn't received any major updates for a long time, but that's changing with iOS 18.4. Apple has added numerous new actions that can intervene deeply in the system settings. This gives users the opportunity to adjust specific settings for various Apple apps directly via shortcuts. Some of the new shortcuts affect Safari in particular. The following settings can now be automated here, among others:

Enable or disable AutoFill contact information
Enable or disable credit card information for AutoFill
block pop-ups
Automatically close open tabs
Show tab bar in landscape mode
Open links in a certain way
Set private search engine
Turn Safari suggestions on or off
Determine default search engine
Customize search engine suggestions
Configure tab bar
Change tab layout

The integration of these options shows that Apple not only wants to provide more control over individual settings with iOS 18.4, but also creates a foundation for future improvements.

Hints at upcoming Siri improvements

The expanded shortcuts actions are not only interesting for automation, but also for the further development of Siri. Apple is apparently working on equipping the voice assistant with a larger selection of commands. It is possible that Siri will be able to directly access a large number of system and app settings in the future without users having to change them manually. The app intent system on which the shortcuts are based plays a central role in this. This system enables apps to provide certain actions that can then be used by shortcuts or by Siri. The new options in iOS 18.4 therefore suggest that Siri will receive even more functions in a later update - probably with iOS 18.5.

iOS 18.4 improves shortcuts and paves the way for Siri upgrades

iOS 18.4 brings a significant improvement to the Shortcuts app and enables even more detailed control of Apple apps. Safari users in particular benefit from the new options for changing various settings directly via shortcuts. Even if the major Siri upgrades are still a long way off, iOS 18.4 already gives a first taste of how Apple could expand its voice assistant in the future. The basis for this has already been laid with the new Shortcuts actions. It remains to be seen what other innovations will follow with iOS 18.5. The best accessories in one place: Our Amazon Storefront offers you top products, also for your HomeKit! (Image: Apple)