Apple Continues Building Out Rapid Security Response Feature in iOS 16.4 Beta

Apple is continuing to improve the Rapid Security Response (RSR) feature that's built into iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura, according to code found in the latest iOS 16.4 beta.

apple rapid security response
New Rapid Security Response code in iOS 16.4 beta 3 adds wording about apps that could be incompatible with security updates. "Some apps may be closing unexpectedly due to incompatibility with the latest iOS rapid security response. Removing the security response may fix this," reads Apple's wording.

There are also rollback alerts that can let users know if there's an issue with an RSR release. "Possible iOS Security Response Issue," is the text that users could see in the future.

Apple has released several Rapid Security Response updates, with the first having come out in November. So far, all of these updates have been limited to iPhone and iPad users running betas, and they seem to have been provided in a test capacity.

Apple appears to be still working on perfecting the RSR process, and it does not look like any of the releases have included security fixes as of yet, based on Apple's security support document. This document outlines all updates that have vulnerability fixes, and no RSR releases are listed.

No RSRs have been provided to the general public as of yet, which also suggests that Apple is not yet ready to use the option as a stop-gap between software updates.

Announced as part of ‌iOS 16‌, ‌iPadOS 16‌, and ‌macOS Ventura‌, Rapid Security Response updates are meant to allow Apple to provide security fixes to users without a complete iOS update. Rapid Security Responses can be installed quickly, and they can be rolled back if it becomes necessary, as the iOS 16.4 code suggests.

Related Roundups: iOS 16, iPadOS 16
Related Forum: iOS 16

Top Rated Comments

!!! Avatar
7 months ago

Sounds like Rapid Security Responses are layered on top of existing code, allowing them to be rolled back. Maybe it sets updated files aside instead of overwriting them?
Sounds more like they're taking advantage of APFS snapshots.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sciomar Avatar
7 months ago

The complexity of this helps argue against 3rd party app stores.
I am sure when third party stores become real on iPhone there will be many patches as those stores try to develop ways to break further in.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
redbeard331 Avatar
7 months ago

This is the next step for device security. This is no longer your fathers iPhone. :rolleyes:
It’s your grandfathers iPhone.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nt5672 Avatar
7 months ago
Or maybe they are not ready for prime time yet.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HorstBockman Avatar
7 months ago
The complexity of this helps argue against 3rd party app stores.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
augustrushrox Avatar
7 months ago
It's really annoying how these "rapid security response" updates take just about as long to apply as normal updates.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Mock Header With Dynamic Island

Skipping the iPhone 15 Pro? Here's What's Rumored for iPhone 16 Pro

Friday September 22, 2023 9:29 am PDT by
Are you skipping the iPhone 15 Pro and waiting another year to upgrade? If so, we already have some iPhone 16 Pro rumors for you. Below, we recap new features rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro models so far:Larger displays: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be equipped with larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively, according to Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain...
Apple WWDC23 macOS Sonoma hero

macOS Sonoma Launching This Week With These New Features

Sunday September 24, 2023 12:45 pm PDT by
Apple previously announced that macOS Sonoma will be released this Tuesday, September 26. The free software update includes many new features and changes for the Mac, including the five that we have highlighted below. In addition to these five features, we have shared the full release notes for macOS Sonoma below for a complete overview of everything new. Desktop Widgets macOS Sonoma...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 double tap gesture 230912

watchOS 10.1 to Enable Apple Watch's New 'Double Tap' Gesture

Thursday September 21, 2023 12:52 pm PDT by
The new Double Tap gesture for the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be enabled starting with watchOS 10.1, according to Marques Brownlee, host of the popular tech-focused YouTube channel MKBHD. The first beta of watchOS 10.1 will likely be available by next week, and Apple announced that the software update will be released next month. Brownlee shared his impressions...