Means again in iOS 16, Apple launched a brand new characteristic known as Speedy Safety Responses, which allowed the corporate to shortly launch vital safety patches to iPhone and iPad customers with out having to attend for the subsequent new construct of iOS. It’s been greater than two years since Apple launched the final Speedy Safety Responses—the primary and solely launch was in July 2023—and now we all know why.
With iOS 26.1 beta 1, which was launched to beta testers on Monday, the corporate is rebuilding how Speedy Safety Responses work. In line with code found within the beta by Macworld, the system will quickly be known as Background Safety Enhancements. The characteristic doesn’t appear to be obtainable to customers operating the beta, however its existence within the code suggests it’s coming quickly.
Basically, the brand new system serves the identical goal: to ship fast and pressing safety patches that don’t require a brand new model of iOS, which takes longer to develop. However there’s a key distinction between Speedy Safety Responses and the brand new Background Safety Enhancements: The brand new Background Safety Enhancements can be put in silently on the system with no need to manually replace. Beforehand, customers needed to obtain Speedy Safety Responses by the Settings app similar to every other iOS replace.
The code suggests Apple plans to make these automated patches non-obligatory as soon as the system turns into obtainable. It’s unclear whether or not iPhones can be prompted to restart as soon as the patch has been put in. With Speedy Safety Responses, Apple says a restart could also be required “if needed.”
Apple may also have the power to roll again a Background Safety Enchancment if there are any points. In 2023, the corporate’s first Speedy Safety Response broke help for some web sites and was pulled and reissued. Since then, the corporate has by no means launched one other standalone safety patch, which means all safety updates had been tied to main iOS updates. This new characteristic will as soon as once more enable Apple to patch safety points in a well timed method.
iOS code means that the brand new Background Safety Enhancements are additionally coming to different Apple platforms, together with macOS. There are not any particulars on when iOS 26.1 can be launched to the general public, however we count on it to be launched someday in October.
