Apple Releases iOS 26.4 and macOS 26.4 RC With Family Sharing Payment Fix and Six New Mac Features
Long-awaited update finally lets Family Sharing members use their own payment methods
The iOS 26.4 RC addresses a pain point that has frustrated Apple users for years: Family Sharing members were previously forced to use the family organiser's payment method for all purchases. The update finally allows individual members to set their own payment methods.
Alongside the iOS release, Apple also shipped the macOS 26.4 RC with six new features for Mac users, all confirmed in official release notes for the first time. The company has not yet announced specific public release dates for either update.
Separately, Apple was named in a new AI lawsuit by publisher Chicken Soup for the Soul over a training data set. However, Apple has already stated that the data set in question does not power Apple Intelligence, potentially undermining the core claim of the suit.
Analysis
Why This Matters
Family Sharing payment flexibility has been one of the most requested features in Apple's ecosystem. Its arrival removes a significant friction point for families managing shared subscriptions and purchases.
Background
Family Sharing launched in 2014 with the limitation that all purchases flowed through a single payment method. The restriction created awkward dynamics in families where members wanted financial independence.
Key Perspectives
Developers see the RC as feature-complete, suggesting a public release within one to two weeks. The AI lawsuit adds to a growing pile of copyright cases facing tech companies, though Apple's pre-emptive denial may limit its impact.
What to Watch
The public release date for both updates, and whether the Chicken Soup lawsuit gains traction despite Apple's denial of using the contested data set.