Apple rolls out first-ever RSR update on iPhones and iPads

Apple is marking the beginning of something new today. The Cupertino-based giant launched its first-ever Rapid Security Response (RSR) to the public. Yes, you read it right. The update has been released to the general public instead of going through the usual beta testers and then the general public’ route.

The RSR update is available for iPhones running iOS 16.4.1 and iPads running iPadOS 16.4.1. Not every iPhone and iPad user will get the update at one go as the rollout is scheduled over 48 hours so you might receive the update soon. Once you install the update, you should see the software version as iOS 16.4.1 (a) or iPadOS 16.4.1 (a) respectively.

Unlike general updates that are rolled out as full-scale software updates to iPhone and iPad users, RSR updates are different. They are tiny security updates that take just a few minutes to install and don’t require a full-fledged software update.

RSR updates are allowed by default so you won’t have to do much. You won’t need a phone restart after the update has been applied although rebooting is highly recommended to let the latest patch assimilate. You can still disable the automation RSR updates via Settings but given the fact that these are lightweight security updates, I would recommend not to do it.

Being a security update, RSR will fortify your iPhone or iPad’s defense against online threats that are attacking vulnerable devices more often than you can think.

The Rapid Security Response (RSR) updates have been under test since iOS 16 and MacOS Ventura. However, these were released to beta testers at first before ever sinking in towards the general users. With iOS 16.4.1 (a), Apple has marked the beginning of something new releasing the update to general users at the very first start.