iOS 18.4 introduces a plethora of new features, but my favorite is the inclusion of tens of thousands of recipes in Apple News along with a dedicated cooking mode. Here’s how it operates.
Apple News+ now includes an expansive recipe library and cooking mode
The Apple News app has evolved significantly from its initial launch, now offering much more than just news headlines.
In addition to regularly adding new puzzle games for News+ subscribers, iOS 18.4 marks a significant enhancement with a new recipe and cooking feature.
If you’re subscribed to Apple News+ or the Apple One Premier bundle, you’ll now have access to over 70,000 recipes—and the collection is continually expanding.
Finding recipes online can often be a frustrating task, as ad-heavy sites can complicate the retrieval of essential information.
With Apple’s new recipe feature, you can enjoy a plethora of recipes displayed in a clean, distraction-free (and ad-free) layout.
In the Following tab of the News app, you’ll discover a new Food section that houses the Recipe Catalog. Here, you can explore recipes and filter them based on various criteria.
The app simplifies the search, allowing you to find what you’re craving—whether it’s something quick to make, a vegan option, or a specific dish for meals like breakfast or dinner.
You can save recipes to your catalog for future reference.
iOS 18.4’s recipe experience surpasses that of the web
Every recipe in Apple News is presented in a consistent and clear format:
- A photo at the top, along with basic details like cooking time and serving size
- A complete list of ingredients
- Clear, step-by-step instructions
- Suggestions for similar dishes to try
When compared to the clutter of finding and following recipes online, the streamlined, ad-free layout in Apple News is superior in every aspect.
Moreover, iOS 18.4 features a special cooking mode that enlarges the recipe instructions on your display and provides tools like clickable links to timer setups.
The entire interface looks fantastic on both iPhones and iPads, and it will surely feature in Apple’s upcoming ‘HomePad’ device.
While there are numerous App Store applications available for recipe management, including several excellent choices, Apple’s extensive recipe collection coupled with a sleek, intuitive interface establishes iOS 18.4’s food features as my primary resource for cooking.
Have you explored the new recipe functionalities in iOS 18.4? Share your thoughts in the comments.