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 duo

Apple Announces Foldable 'iPhone Duo'

Wednesday September 9, 2026 10:56 am PDT by
Apple today announced the "iPhone Duo," a new kind of iPhone featuring two screens and a foldable inner display. The two halves of the iPhone Duo connect into a single continuous frame with the same aspect ratio across both displays, and Apple said the transition between open and closed is designed to feel fluid. When fully open, Apple says it is the thinnest iPhone ever made, with an...
Surprise and Shine Live Coverage Article

Apple Event Live Blog: iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, and More Expected

Wednesday September 9, 2026 9:10 am PDT by
Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event kicks off today at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, where we're expecting to see the foldable iPhone Duo, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 models, new AirPods 5 earphones, and perhaps some other announcements. Apple is providing a live video stream on its website, on YouTube, and in the company's TV app across various platforms. We...
iOS 27 Feature Dark

Apple Announces iOS 27 Release Date

Wednesday September 9, 2026 10:46 am PDT by
At its event today unveiling the iPhone 18 Pro, AirPods 5, Apple Watch Series 12, and more, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released later this month. iOS 27 has already been available as a developer beta since June and as a public beta since July, and Apple today said that the update will be released for all users with a compatible iPhone model on Monday, September 14. iOS 27 is...

Top Rated Comments

56 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
56 months ago
Can't wait for Google to copy this ten years ago.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
8CoreWhore Avatar
56 months ago
Should've done this years ago.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gmanist1000 Avatar
56 months ago
Astonished it's taken them this long.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Realityck Avatar
56 months ago
That was a requested feature, and it got implemented. Nice job Apple!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
roncron Avatar
56 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)