Rapid security response update

Further clarification based on subsequent responses:

Lawrence Finch provided an excellent response. It seems pointless and risky to not perform these updates immediately.

I’m not sure I fully understand TheLittles’ response. The fact is if you choose to bypass the Rapid Security Response, you will receive that same capability with your next regular iOS update.

Apple is being unusually secretive about this update. Normally, a few days after an update is released they add a description of what security issues the update addresses, here→Apple security updates - Apple Support

The fact that they didn’t is what has led to much of the speculation. That might mean that the vulnerability was so serious that they don’t want hackers to use information in the published security information to attack un-updated iPhones. It’s also possible that it was really just a test of the Rapid Security Response process, and doesn’t fix anything.

Shari2s wrote:

I am not interested in the rapid security response update. What should I do to prevent this from updating.

OK, so you would rather risk your phone being hacked. Your choice.

If you go to Settings/General/Software Update there may be a link to remove the update.

Shari2s Said:

"Rapid security response update: I am not interested in the rapid security response update. What should I do to prevent this from updating."

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Update a Few Dats Later:

It will always be there --it's on Apple. Note that one you updates your iPhone, you cannot downgrade it. With that being so, your only option is to no longer update your iPhone. But that is unwise, as bugs can come about. Lots of issues are reported. So, I plan to give it another day, seeing what has come out of this released feature.

sberman Said:

"The fact is if you choose to bypass the Rapid Security Response, you will receive that same capability with your next regular iOS update."

You understand that part.

I'm still giving it a few, seeing all the controversies over it.

Great clarification, thanks.

As I recall, a few days before the update was rolled out, there was some news about a recently discovered security vulnerability. Speculation about security is a bad idea, but this did seem to rationalize the rollout and its timing in my mind.

Thanks!

To turn off the feature, go to settings, General, Software update, automatic updates. Pressing auto updates, that opens a new screen of choices and at bottom is Security Responses & Systems Files. You can turn that off. Not a good idea.

The benefit is that as Apple finds dangers, they will push the protection codes instead of you waiting for the next iOS update.

See the first bullet in the article linked above. Invert the step shown.

The only issues I’m aware of were package validation issues causing installation problems during the first two or three hours after the update’s rollout.

That’s an excellent outcome.

Enjoy your Apple gear.

The parenthetical letter at the end is used to indicate a Rapid Security Response. The current iOS version is 16.4.1 (a).