As promised, Apple has started releasing the first Rapid Security Response update to devices running iOS 16.4.1, iPadOS 16.4.1, and macOS 13.3.1.
According to Engadget, these updates are delivered through the Software Update feature as usual but are small downloads that don’t take long to install. The fixes will be rolled out within 48 hours, so users should get it soon
Rapid Security Response allows Apple to fix vulnerabilities earlier than with regular software updates. While they can be disabled by users, they are said to be ideal for quickly fixing zero-day vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit early. In turn, this can prevent malware from spreading rapidly in the community, especially those with automatic updates enabled.
The concept of emergency security updates is not new. Apple, Microsoft, and others have provided patches outside of schedule to streamline the update process and provide some user safety assurance. This helps users feel more secure before their data-related worries can disappear.
If devices don’t have automatic update installation enabled, users can do this manually by going to the Settings app > General > Software Update