Security Fixes Won't Require Full iOS Update in iOS 16, Will Be Installed Automatically - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Security Fixes Won't Require Full iOS Update in iOS 16, Will Be Installed Automatically

Apple in iOS 16 is introducing a new Rapid Security Response feature that's designed to make it easier and quicker for the company to deploy security improvements.

automatic security updates ios 16
Security updates will be able to be automatically applied between standard software updates, so implementing security fixes will not require a full new version of iOS.

It's also going to let Apple automatically install security updates on many devices without people even having to think about it. There is a new "Install System and Data Files" option in Settings > General > Software Update that lets users toggle on automatic security updates independent of iOS updates.

For those who prefer not to have security updates, such as jailbreakers, the toggle does make it possible to avoid all security updates when it is disabled. It's worth noting that the "Install System and Data Files" option is enabled by default when installing iOS 16, so you'll need to manually turn it off if you are not interested in using the feature.

Related Forum: iOS 16

Popular Stories

iPhone 18 Pro Deep Red Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in Two Months With These 12 New Features

Friday July 17, 2026 10:39 am PDT by
It is now mid-July, and that means the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are now just two months away. The devices are expected to look similar to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but there will still be many year-over-year changes, with rumored features including a smaller Dynamic Island, 5G via satellite, and more. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, ...
Apple 2026 Back to School Graphic

Apple's 2026 Back to School Offer Just Went Live in Select Countries

Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:48 am PDT by
Apple's annual Back to School promotion is now live in select countries in Asia, including China, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. The offer provides college students and educational staff with a free item with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad model. The exact offer varies by country, with options including a pack of four AirTags, AirPods 4,...
iphone 17 cyber

Apple Closes Unlocked iPhone Loophole for T-Mobile and Verizon Financing

Wednesday July 15, 2026 3:20 pm PDT by
Carrier-financed iPhones purchased from Apple will soon be locked to the carrier, ending a workaround customers used to purchase an unlocked iPhone on a payment plan. Until the rule change, buying an iPhone from Apple and opting for financing through Verizon or T-Mobile meant you would get an iPhone not locked to either carrier's network. That's no longer the case, and now iPhones financed...

Top Rated Comments

54 months ago
This is huge! I can't believe it has take this long to get security fixes outside of full OS upgrades.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jakey rolling Avatar
54 months ago
Can't wait for Google to copy this ten years ago.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
8CoreWhore Avatar
54 months ago
Should've done this years ago.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gmanist1000 Avatar
54 months ago
Astonished it's taken them this long.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Realityck Avatar
54 months ago
That was a requested feature, and it got implemented. Nice job Apple!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
roncron Avatar
54 months ago
Great move. I have friends and relatives that don’t update iOS very often and this have missed out on lots of security patches. Wish we had this feature years ago, but better late than never.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)