Urgent Security Update Released for iOS 16 and Other Apple Systems: How to Install it

Apple has announced the availability of Rapid Security Response (RSR) updates for iPhones and iPads running iOS 16.4.1 and its iPadOS counterpart, as well as for Macs running macOS 13.3.1. These updates, as the name suggests, are intended to improve the security of our devices and are being distributed in this way for the first time outside of beta.

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The RSR 16.4.1 (a) updates for iOS and 13.3.1 (a) for macOS aim to deliver security solutions to all our devices without the need to install a full software update. A system that Apple already tested during the beta of iOS 16.4 and that now takes care of the security of operating systems.

A new way to update our devices

Unlike a conventional update, where it is much of the system that has to be reinstalled, even if it is to make relatively small changes, in this update what Apple uses is what is called Delta Update. A reference to the highly specialized Delta combat forces with a single objective that they accomplish without drawing attention to themselves.

Similarly, these updates only modify some components of the system to improve its security without the need for a complete installation. And this is critical, because in addition to the download being minimal both in terms of weight and time, the update is as fast as a reboot.

This can be read in two ways. The first is that we will be able to install the update with little or no interruption to our use of the devices. The second is that if we restart the iPhone, iPad or Mac, the update is installed, which is a great advantage for keeping them secure, even for those users who are not in the habit of manually installing updates.

How to install new security updates

To install the Security Response updates on our iPhone, iPad or Mac, the steps to follow are the same as for any other update. Specifically we will do it like this:

1. We open the Settings app on our iPhone, iPad or Mac.
2. Go to General.
3. Tap on Software Update.
4. Once the update appears, tap on Download and install.
5. Our iPhone, iPad or Mac will restart as it would normally do.

Meanwhile, if we want to know if the update has already been installed without us noticing it, the best thing to do is to check the version of the operating system that we have installed on our devices. On our iPhone or iPad we will do it like this:

1. We open the Settings app on our iPhone, iPad or Mac.
2. Go to General.
3. Tap on Information.
4. Check that the iOS/iPadOS version shows the number 16.4.1 (a).

On the Mac we will do something similar. In the Apple menu, we will choose About this Mac. Then, at the bottom, next to macOS, we make sure that “13.3.1 (a)” appears, which indicates that we already have the update.

Right now, we do not know exactly what security improvements Apple has implemented in this quick update. Hopefully in the next few hours the company will update its support document with a list of the changes.

In any case, if we see it appear on our device, since Apple is deploying it progressively and the process will take up to 48 hours, it is best that we install it as soon as possible. An update, remember, that is only available for devices already running the latest versions of iOS, iPadOS and macOS and that, as we have just seen, we can install in just a few seconds. While we wait for iPadOS 17 and its leaks, clearly good news for our security.

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