Way back in iOS 16, Apple introduced a new feature called Rapid Security Responses, which allowed the company to quickly release important security patches to iPhone and iPad users without having to wait for the next new build of iOS. It’s been more than two years since Apple released the last Rapid Security Responses—the first and only release was in July 2023—and now we know why.
With iOS 26.1 beta 1, which was released to beta testers on Monday, the company is rebuilding how Rapid Security Responses work. According to code discovered in the beta by Macworld, the system will soon be called Background Security Improvements. The feature doesn’t seem to be available to users running the beta, but its existence in the code suggests it’s coming soon.
Essentially, the new system serves the same purpose: to deliver quick and urgent security patches that do not require a new version of iOS, which takes longer to develop. But there’s a key difference between Rapid Security Responses and the new Background Security Improvements: The new Background Security Improvements will be installed silently on the device without needing to manually update. Previously, users had to download Rapid Security Responses through the Settings app just like any other iOS update.
The code suggests Apple plans to make these automatic patches optional once the system becomes available. It’s unclear whether iPhones will be prompted to restart once the patch has been installed. With Rapid Security Responses, Apple says a restart may be required “if necessary.”
Apple will also have the ability to roll back a Background Security Improvement if there are any issues. In 2023, the company’s first Rapid Security Response broke support for some websites and was pulled and reissued. Since then, the company has never released another standalone security patch, meaning all security updates were tied to major iOS updates. This new feature will once again allow Apple to patch security issues in a timely way.
iOS code suggests that the new Background Security Improvements are also coming to other Apple platforms, including macOS. There are no details on when iOS 26.1 will be released to the public, but we expect it to be released sometime in October.
