How-To

How to Disable Rapid Security Response Updates on iPhone

By Brian Burgess

Published June 14, 2023

Apple uses Rapid Security Response updates for urgent bug fixes on its devices. To disable these updates (and install them later), follow this guide.

Apple will occasionally deploy Rapid Security Response updates that automatically install when serious or zero-day threats need patching. However, you might want to disable Rapid Security Responses on iPhone or iPad until you’re ready to install them.

For example, Apple recently released a Rapid Security Response (RSR) with important security fixes. While it’s wise to install PSRs to ensure your iPhone or iPad is secure, you might want to install the updates on your own time.

It’s also important to note you might get an error trying to install an RSR before or after the 48-hour phased rollout of the update. To disable Rapid Security Response updates on your iPhone or iPad, follow these steps.

What is a Rapid Security Response Update?

These updates released by Apple address critical security issues within iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. The RSR provides significant security improvements between more extensive feature updates. In addition, they can address flaws with Safari, the WebKit framework stack, and other essential system libraries.

These updates can also address zero-day and other software exploits known to exist “in the wild.” That means there is a security vulnerability of your phone or Mac that could be used to steal personal data, for example.

The RSR updates will be delivered on iOS 16.4.1 and above and macOS 13.3.1 and higher. If you are on an older version of any of these platforms, Apple will not release the RSR update to your device. If you disable the RSR updates, they will be included in the next system software update.

How to Disable RSR Updates on iPhone or iPad

While these are urgent updates you should want immediately, you might decide not to get an RSR for various reasons. Whatever the reason, disabling RSR updates on your iPhone or iPad is possible.

To disable Rapid Security Response Updates:

1. Open Settings from the home screen on your device.
2. Tap General from the list of items.
3. Select Software Update on the following screen.
4. Tap the Automatic Updates. Note that in this example, at the time of this writing, an RSR update is available.
5. Toggle the Security Responses & System Files switch off.

Moving forward, RSR updates will not be automatically installed. However, you will get the fixes when the next major iOS or iPadOS software update is ready.

Keeping Your iPhone or iPad Secure

Generally, it would be best to allow the RSR updates to be installed to ensure your device is up-to-date and secure. However, if you don’t want them because your phone will restart to complete the installation, for example, you can turn them off using the above steps. You’ll still receive them the next time there’s a major OS update.

There are other things you can do to ensure your device is secure. For example, you can stop ad tracking on your iPhone. In addition, you might want to block specific websites on your iPhone, or if you’re being harassed, block unknown callers to prevent unwanted calls.

Also, you can lock down photos on your iPhone if you have private or sensitive pictures. If you have important notes, you can lock Apple notes on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, too.