- Apple has released the first public Rapid Security Response updates for iOS and macOS
- Apple says that the updates can deliver important security fixes and patches for vulnerabilities that may have been exploited
Apple today released its first Rapid Security Response software update to the public for iPhone and iPad users running iOS 16.4.1, according to tech analyst and iOS beta historian Aaron Zollo on Twitter.
The update, officially labeled “Rapid Security Response iOS 16.4.1 (a)”, is a security update that Apple has been testing as far back as the iOS 16.2 beta cycle for registered developers. While Apple has not published any official release notes for the update, the company has stated that the update “provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users.” A similar Rapid Security Response update has also been released for Mac users running macOS 13.3.1.
Apple published a support document alongside the release of both Rapid Security Response updates stating that “New Rapid Security Responses are delivered only for the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS — beginning with iOS 16.4.1, iPadOS 16.4.1, and macOS 13.3.1.”
Apple further clarified the nature of Rapid Security Response updates, offering the following details.
“Rapid Security Responses are a new type of software release for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. They deliver important security improvements between software updates — for example, improvements to the Safari web browser, the WebKit framework stack, or other critical system libraries. They may also be used to mitigate some security issues more quickly, such as issues that might have been exploited or reported to exist “in the wild.”
About Rapid Security Responses for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS – Apple Support
Users can enable Rapid Security Response Updates on their iPhone or iPad by visiting Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates, then make sure that “Security Responses & System Files” is turned on.
On a Mac, users can enable Rapid Security Response updates by choosing the Apple menu > System Settings. Then click General in the sidebar and Software Update on the right. Click the Show Details button “i” next to Automatic Updates, then make sure that “Install Security Responses and system files” is turned on.
This article was updated with additional information on May 1 by Brahm Shank.
If you are having trouble accessing the Rapid Security Responses, note that Apple is slowly rolling out the updates to users within the next 48 hours, according to a report from Twitter user @dhinakg.
