What to know about Apple’s new Rapid Security Response updates

It is crucial to update your software promptly, which ensures that your Apple device is in the best condition. To this end, Apple has launched a new software update mechanism called Rapid Security Response. This type of update is independent of regular iOS or macOS updates and works slightly differently.

If you see a "Quick Security Response" notification on your Apple device, don't panic - this is to keep your device safe.

What is the "Quick Security Response" update?

We are used to Apple's software update plan: iPhones, Macs and other devices release large updates every year, and several smaller updates will be released during this period.

[Related: It's time to update your Apple device firmware]

Behind these major user-oriented upgrades, these updates are also doing a lot of important work behind the scenes to improve security and stability. The problem is that sometimes major security issues are found that need to be addressed immediately, not weeks or months later.

This is where "fast and safe response" comes in. Apple can release these patches at any time to ensure that security vulnerabilities do not exist for a long time. The company said these responses could “ease some security issues faster”, especially those that pose current risks. The company is currently sending these updates to iPhones, iPads, and Macs running iOS 16.4.1, iPadOS 16.4.1, or macOS 13.3.1 and later. If you haven't updated it yet, be sure to update your operating system to the latest version to receive these updates.

How to apply the "Quick Security Response" update

"Quick Security Response" is very important, so Apple's operating system automatically applies them by default, and unlike regular updates, you cannot choose to postpone them. You may not even notice that the installation process is in the background, but you will know when it is done, as your device may be prompted to restart to apply the update.

For the good functioning of your Apple device, we strongly recommend that you authorize these automatic updates, but if you strongly object to installing the software without your consent, you can stop "Quick Security Response". To do this, open Settings on your iPhone or iPad and select General, Software Update, and Automatic Update. There, turn off the "Security Response and System Files" option. On your Mac, open the Apple menu and select System Settings, General, and Software Updates. Click the information button next to "Auto Update" to find the "Install Security Response and System Files" option and turn it off.

When your Apple device has "Quick Security Response", a lowercase letter is attached to the iOS, iPadOS, or macOS version number - such as "macOS Ventura Version 13.3.1 (a)". To check this information, go to Settings on your iPhone or iPad, or System Settings on your Mac, and select General and select About. You'll notice that unlike normal software updates, these special security patches don't provide any details about what they fix, presumably for speed and security reasons.

[Related: Smart Ways to Manage Software Updates on Windows and macOS]

If you have disabled these automatic updates, you can still manually check "Quick Security Response" like you would check for other updates: just go to "General" and "Software Update" in your Apple device's settings. Any "Quick Security Response" that your device will not apply immediately will be included in the next standard software update, but we strongly recommend that you install them immediately to protect your device when they appear.

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