Announced at the last WWDC 2022, Security Answers had not yet appeared on our devices, until today. What are they and how are they installed?
An update called “iOS Security Response 16.2 (a)” appeared on my iPhone tonight, something totally unexpected after I installed the third iOS 16.2 Beta yesterday. Below the name appeared a text indicating that it was about fixing major security flaws, so I have proceeded to update without hesitation. However, at this point it seems clear that this update was nothing more than a test of the so-called "Security Responses". What are these mini updates?
Security Rapid Response allows you to automatically download important security updates to your devices without having to wait for operating system updates.
When Apple wants to release updates to fix security bugs that need quick fixes, it won't have to wait to release a full update for the device, but can instead release these “Security Responses”. As you can see in the header image, this answer from today barely occupies 96MB, make it clear that it contains only what is strictly necessary to correct the error in question and little else.
Security Responses are configured by default to be installed automatically, although we can modify this behavior from Settings>General>Software Updates>Automatic updates. Plus they can be uninstalled once installed if you wish, for which you will have to enter Settings> General> Information> iOS version. These Quick Replies do not include a version change, and will be updates that will be included in the next official update that Apple releases, so if you do not want to install it as a Quick Reply, when you update normally to the next version, it will be included.