With the release of iOS 18.4, Apple introduces support for Apple Intelligence in several new languages, enhances Image Playgrounds with a fresh style, and adds another exciting AI feature: Priority Notifications.
Priority Notifications in iOS 18.4: Important alerts rise to the top
Priority Notifications is a feature powered by Apple Intelligence aimed at streamlining your notification management.
While Apple has equipped users with several tools to customize notifications—allowing you to turn notifications on or off for specific apps or adjust settings for different Focus modes—this new function aims to automate the process for you.
Initially turned off in the iOS 18.4 beta 1, you can activate this feature by following these steps:
- Open the Settings app
- Tap on ‘Notifications’
- Select ’Prioritize Notifications’
- Enable the feature
Here’s a brief overview of its capabilities:
Apple Intelligence can display potentially significant notifications in a distinct section on the Lock Screen, allowing you to catch up on what you might have missed. You can still swipe up to see all notifications.
Essentially, your iPhone uses on-device intelligence to evaluate the significance of various notifications, placing those regarded as especially important in a new top section above the rest.
Traditionally, iOS organizes notifications based on their recency, with the latest alerts at the top. However, when Prioritize Notifications is activated, the most critical alerts are prioritized, regardless of when they were received.
If you’re familiar with the Mail app’s priority feature—where certain important emails are highlighted at the top of your inbox—Priority Notifications functions similarly.
Will you enable Priority Notifications in iOS 18.4? What are your thoughts? Share in the comments below.
