Do you rely on your iPhone for internet access while traveling or working away from home? Or are you constantly worried about your phone being stolen and your sensitive data being lost? Good news! The iOS 26.4 update, whose first beta was released on February 16th, will completely transform your digital life. This update doesn't just offer minor improvements; it adds essential features that make using your personal hotspot easier and more secure, as well as automatically activating theft protection to enhance iPhone security.
Tracking personal contact point data
Imagine you're on a business trip, connecting your iPad or MacBook to your iPhone via Personal Hotspot. Have you ever been surprised at the end of the month by a high data bill because one of your devices consumed your entire data allowance without your knowledge? That worry is over with iOS 26.4! Here's how the new feature works in your Hotspot settings.
In previous versions, tracking data usage was complicated. But now, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot, and at the bottom of the screen, you'll find a new section called Data Usage. This section only appears if you've recently used the hotspot and gives you a detailed breakdown for each connected device:
◉ The amount of data used per device, such as iPad Pro: 2.5 GB or MacBook: 1.2 GB.
◉ Total consumption, here gives you a quick overview of what has been consumed by all devices combined.
◉ To reset the data, press Settings > Cellular to reset the main counters, and the statistics will return to zero.
A user on the X platform discovered this feature, and it impressed many who were unaware that similar statistics previously existed in other hidden locations. If you share your personal hotspot with family or colleagues, you can now monitor who is using the most data, which is ideal for cheaper, limited data plans.
Practical benefits for the everyday user
◉ Saving money: If you use a fixed data plan such as 50GB per month, you can easily avoid excessive data usage.
◉ Control multiple devices, where you can connect and control a laptop or Apple Watch efficiently.
Imagine your son watching videos on his iPad via your phone's hotspot. Now you'll know exactly how much data he's used, and then you can ask him to stop before he runs out of data!
This feature makes iOS 26.4 ideal for those who work remotely, especially in Arab countries where data plans are price-sensitive.
Protect your stolen device by default
Now, let's move on to the key security features of iOS 26.4. Apple has decided to automatically activate anti-theft protection for every new user. This feature, first introduced with iOS 17.3, was previously optional, but in iOS 26.4 it's now mandatory to make iPhones smarter and more secure against theft.
What is the advantage of protecting a stolen device and how does it protect you?
The feature relies on multiple layers of security to protect your sensitive data even if a thief knows your phone password, and there are procedures that require further verification:
◉ View or use passwords saved in iCloud or passkeys.
◉ View Apple Card or apply for a new one.
◉ Turn off “Lost Device” mode or erase all content.
Security delay for sensitive changes:
Changing your Apple account password, adding or removing trusted devices, changing your device password, or modifying your fingerprint is all possible. Biometric verification (your face or fingerprint) is required, and you wait a full hour before being asked to verify again. This prevents thieves from quickly reformatting and selling your phone!
This is important in today's world, where thieves target iPhones to access Apple accounts, passwords, or banking information. But with iOS 26.4, iPhone theft has become a bit more of a concern, though it's better than losing everything. Apple statistics indicate a significant decrease in thefts thanks to these features.
Tips for activating and using it effectively
◉ If you are in a familiar environment such as home, the delay can be temporarily disabled.
◉ Link it with “Find My” to track the phone in real time.
If your phone is stolen in a shopping mall, the thief will not be able to change your settings for at least an hour, giving you time to remotely turn it off.
Additional features in iOS 26.4 make your experience better
iOS 26.4 First Beta is not limited to these two features; there are some other features, the most important of which is support for RCS encrypted messages, so the messages will be better with Android, with full encryption.
The iOS 26.4 update combines convenience and security, from accurately tracking your personal hotspot data to enabling theft protection by default. These features will change the way you use your iPhone, especially if you rely on cellular data or travel frequently.
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