Apple's upcoming iOS 18.4 update is shaping up to be a significant improvement for users who want better visibility into their recurring financial commitments. Currently in its fourth developer beta, the update is expected to arrive for public release in early April, bringing several new features including enhanced payment tracking capabilities in Apple Wallet.
Improved Payment Tracking in Apple Wallet
The latest iOS 18.4 beta introduces a refined feature in the Apple Wallet app that will help users better manage their automatic payments. Initially labeled as Subscriptions & Payments in the first beta, Apple has now renamed this section to Preauthorized Payments to more accurately reflect its purpose. This rebranding clarifies that the feature focuses specifically on payments that users have authorized in advance, rather than just subscriptions.
iOS 18.4 Beta Features:
- Renamed "Subscriptions & Payments" to "Preauthorized Payments" in Apple Wallet
- Apple News+ Food section
- Priority Notifications
- Expected public release: Early April 2025
What the New Feature Will Track
The Preauthorized Payments section will display merchants that users have given permission to charge their Apple Pay accounts. This includes various types of recurring transactions such as subscriptions, automatic top-ups, and regular bills. For example, if you use Apple Pay to automatically add funds to your transit card or to pay for your gym membership, these transactions will be visible in this dedicated section of the Wallet app.
Apple's Focus on Financial Visibility
This update aligns with Apple's recent efforts to enhance the financial management capabilities of the Wallet app. By providing users with a clearer view of their recurring payment commitments, Apple is helping consumers better understand and control their spending habits. The change reflects a growing recognition that digital payment systems need to offer more transparency and control to users.
Current Subscription Management Limitations
Despite this improvement, Apple's approach to subscription management remains somewhat fragmented. Currently, users need to check different locations to get a complete picture of their recurring payments. App-related subscriptions are managed through either the App Store or the Settings app, while the new Wallet feature will focus on preauthorized payments made through Apple Pay.
Release Timeline
Based on the beta release cycle, iOS 18.4 is expected to be released to the public in early April, unless developers require additional time to resolve any remaining issues. The fourth developer beta is currently available for testing, suggesting that the final release is approaching. Along with iOS 18.4, Apple is also preparing to release macOS 15.4 and visionOS 2.4 with similar enhancements.
Other Beta Releases:
- macOS 15.4 beta 4
- visionOS 2.4 beta 4
Other Features Coming in iOS 18.4
While the Preauthorized Payments feature is a notable addition, iOS 18.4 will include several other updates as well. Users can expect a new Food section for Apple News+ subscribers and Priority Notifications functionality. However, it's worth noting that some anticipated Apple Intelligence features have been delayed and won't appear until iOS 19 next year.
The Future of Payment Management
The evolution of the Wallet app suggests Apple is working toward a more comprehensive financial management solution. While the current implementation still requires users to check multiple locations for different types of recurring payments, this update represents a step toward potentially consolidating all payment information in one place. A truly unified view of all monthly expenses—whether for streaming services, app subscriptions, or other recurring charges—would significantly simplify personal financial management for Apple users.