Security is a moving target, and Apple's latest security release aims to better respond to that: to keep iPhones and Macs up to date with new security patches, it's rolling out Rapid Security Response, which will apply security updates to devices on the go, in addition to iOS version updates.
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The feature was announced at the Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) and appears to be already live in the developer beta for iOS 16 (meaning: it's likely to be released with the general release of iOS 16).
The feature was only briefly mentioned in yesterday's keynote, but in the developer preview of iOS 16, the new toggle already appears in the automatic updates under the 'Install System and Data Files' section. It suggests that Apple may push automatic security patches by default.
The feature description suggests that you may not need to restart your phone for some updates to take effect.
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Apple's Rapid Security Response isn't limited to iOS. The company is also bringing the feature to macOS Ventura, according to a feature preview page.
"This is not a typical software update. These improvements can be applied automatically between regular updates — without a reboot," the company said in the blog.
Until now, users had to wait for Apple to release critical security updates and then receive them when it was their turn. With the new rapid security patch system, the company can push out important bug fixes without having to release a separate software update.
This feature will be released with iOS 16, so if Apple needs to push a security patch before then, it will have to send out a build update. Once the feature is available to everyone, it will also eliminate the need for users to be aware of a potential bug in order to fix. Apple could silently issue an update that would be effective for people who don’t update their phones with all the minor versions.
Google has taken a similar approach with Google Play system updates — which are separate from OEM version updates — to protect Android devices from malware and software vulnerabilities .
Now, this new feature becomes an opportunity for Apple to proactively secure iOS and macOS devices from unexpected cyberattacks and vulnerabilities. It can issue patches as quickly as possible without having to rely on users to download and install them, making them more efficient.
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Apple also introduced new security features across iOS, including Safety Check to remove access to data from abusers, a default lock for hidden and recently deleted photos , and Face ID support for landscape mode.
Information source: techcrunch.com
