Apple users are used to software updates being released from time to time. These updates can be downloaded wirelessly from the device itself. However, Apple designed a new type of updates a few months ago called quick security responses. These updates are security patches of high importance and the user can decide to update or wait for the next big update to include those patches. Apple has launched its first security rapid response under the version number iOS 16.4.1(a).
Apple debuts security quick answers with iOS 16.4.1. (to)
At WWDC22 Apple introduced the quick security responses, these quick and important updates that we’ve talked about so far. This new upgrade concept would allow the user fix major bugs without much hassle and without having to wait for the next big update to fix them. In this way, Apple can fix many more major problems without the need to constantly release updates.
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These security updates are designed to allow users can download the update but not install it until a few hours pass. That is, according to the data obtained from the code and as commented by Apple Insider, only 5% of users will be able to install the update in the first 6 hours, 15% in 12 hours, 40% in 24 hours, 70% at 36 hours and 100% after two days from launch.
Last monday Apple released a new security quick response, whose versions always have a letter in parentheses, for iOS, iPadOS and macOS. It is, therefore, the versions iOS 16.4.1. (a), iPadOS 16.4.1 (a), and macOS 13.3.1 (a). The update can be installed in a matter of minutes and does not take as long as a normal update. At the moment it has not been revealed what security implications this update entails but the recommendation, obviously, is to download and install the version as soon as possible.