Apple Issues Security Response To iOS 16.2 (a) – Test Pilot For An Important New Feature

Over the last few years, Apple has received more and more criticism due to the fact that security updates have typically not occurred as quickly as could be desired. "Quickly" is to be understood in to ways, as it applies not only to the reaction time on Apple's side to security threats, but also to the cumbersome update procedure and the included wait times necessary on the side of its users to install these updates. Even small fixes have required a complete security update – leading to the whole routine often totalling up to 30 minutes.

macOS Ventura and iOS 16, however, possess a sensible addition intended to alleviate these aggravating circumstances in the form of "Rapid Security Response": Independently from normal system updates, updates relating to device security can be executed – often without even rebooting the device. Android was already a little bit further along in this respect, and has had comparable functions since Version 10 (2020).





A Security Update For Beta Users...
Now, Apple has released the Security Response 16.2 (a) update, available via Software Update section of the Settings app on iPhones with beta profiles. In respect of the content, there were several riddles – since Apple mentioned only very general improvements. The update only even took a short amount of time to install and after only a few minutes it was loaded, installed, and the iPhone was completely ready for use again. Those who executed the update were able to get a quick first impression as to the expeditiousness of the new Security Response function. Additionally, the patch can even be reversed via the System Settings under General/Info and the currently displayed system version.



...& It Contains No Content
Apple did eventually explain exactly which problems were addressed with iOS Security Response 16.2 (a), and these were exactly: None at all. Absolutely no problems were addressed, the update was no more than a simple test pilot intended to check the new function's... function. It contained no security-relevant content. Presumably, there will be multiple such trials – at the very least, before Apple makes full use of the Security Response for anything major.