Your iPhone just got a first-of-its-kind security update

By Peter Hunt Szpytek Published May 1, 2023

Smartphone users should be completely accustomed to getting regular security updates to make sure that their data is protected. Now, Apple is simplifying things by introducing a new way to quickly update iPhone security without needing to push a full-on iOS update.

Apple has been running beta tests of its Rapid Security Responses (RSR) feature that’s meant to make security patches easier. As of May 1, RSR has launched for all Apple device owners.

Deep Purple iPhone 14 Pro held in hand with a wooden gate in the background — Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends

The updated approach to security will “deliver important security improvements between software updates,” allowing users to receive security patches more frequently than they’ve been rolling out in the past. That’s not to say that Apple is stingy with its security updates — far from it — but rather that users can now expect fixes to go live the second they’re finished instead of having to wait for full-blown iOS updates.

Recommended Videos

According to Apple, Rapid Security Responses will be downloaded automatically by default and may require you to restart your iPhone when they go live. Automatic RSR downloads can be turned off, however, and you’ll simply get the fixes with each new iOS software update, the same way it was done previously. While you can turn RSR off, it’s not a bad idea to keep automatic downloads on so that your device stays up to date with all of the most recent security software.

Rapid Security Responses isn’t just available for iPhones but has also gone live for iPads and Macs. Currently, RSR is only available for devices that are compatible with the most recent Apple software, starting with iOS 16.4.1, iPadOS 16.4.1, and macOS 13.3.1.

The new feature isn’t something that’s as flashy as the iPhone 14 Pro’s Dynamic Island, however, it is an important addition to the iPhone — especially for users who take security seriously. Android phones have offered something similar for years with monthly security patches, and it’s great to see Apple now implementing a similar strategy with iOS.

Peter Hunt Szpytek

Former Mobile Writer

A podcast host and journalist, Peter covers mobile news with Digital Trends and gaming news, reviews, and guides for sites…

Topics

Phones

I picked four wireless chargers so you can stop making your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch fight over one dorm outlet

The best back-to-school wireless chargers for dorm desks, study spaces, and travel

Computer, Electronics, Laptop

A dorm-room desk can disappear surprisingly quickly beneath a laptop charger, phone cable, Apple Watch puck, and the growing collection of adapters required to power them all. Add textbooks and other academic materials, and finding enough room to study becomes the first assignment of the semester.

A wireless charging stand can consolidate several of those cables into one station. It also gives your phone a dedicated place to sit, which helps when you are checking the time or watching a lecture. Every charger here still needs one connection to the wall. So finding a peripheral that works with all of your gadgets isn't just convenient, it's smart. I picked four models ranging from an inexpensive two-device stand to a fast 25W wireless charger capable of powering an entire Apple setup.

Phones

Your backpack needs one of these power banks before classes start

I picked 4 power banks that can survive your longest day on campus

Anker Nano 3-in-1 10,000mAh portable power bank for iPhone.

Finding an empty outlet on campus can require more patience than registering for a popular class. Common spaces like libraries or lecture halls rarely have sockets in the right places. So a good power bank gives you far more freedom. It gives you the option to choose the quiet corner of the library, work outside between classes, or even finish an assignment without worrying about your laptop's battery.

The right model depends on what you carry, since a phone needs far less power than a MacBook or gaming laptop. I picked four Anker power banks that cover everything from everyday phone charging to running several demanding devices at once.

Phones

The Minimal Phone 2 looks dramatically better than the original, and I’m genuinely here for it

Plastic is out, metal is in, and Minimal Phone 2's renders suggest the digital detox phone concept finally has the hardware to match its ambition.

Electronics, Mobile Phone, Phone

I've been following the Minimal Phone since its initial crowdfunding days. The first iteration had the right idea trapped inside the wrong body, I’d say. Plastic build, no 5G, an underwhelming camera, and e-paper ghosting that frustrated early adopters; all these issues kept the phone from reaching a wider audience.

Now, founder Armen Youssefian has posted what appears to be a 360-degree render of the Minimal Phone 2 on X, and from what I can see, the team has done its homework.