You can now remove iPhone security patches
Apple has updated its support document to confirm that it is now possible to manually remove all security patches for critical exploits that were automatically installed by iOS 16’s Rapid Security Response system.
Under Settings → General → About, tap “iOS Version” and then select “Remove Security Update”. If you don’t see this option, Quick Security Patches are not installed. You can also reinstall deleted Rapid Security Responses later.
But when this patch is part of a standard iOS software update, it is permanently installed and cannot be removed.
What is the Rapid Security Response feature in iOS 16? Rapid Security Response is a feature of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura designed to allow Apple to provide security patches for critical vulnerabilities without fully updating your iPhone. The goal is to deliver critical patches before they become part of other enhancements in a future software update.
This will allow Apple to continue releasing security updates for older operating systems (a good example is iOS 15.7, a bug-fix update that comes with iOS 16).
Get quick security answers on iPhone
You can get Quick Security Answers on your iPhone automatically if you go to Settings → General → Software Update → Automatic Updates and make sure “Security Answers and System Files” is turned on.
This ensures that security quick answers and system files are automatically downloaded and installed on supported iPhones and accessories. If you disable Rapid Security Responses automatic updates, you can manually install these security patches in Settings → General → Software Update.
Some security patches may require the device to be restarted to complete the installation. Apple detects that some system files are always installed automatically, even if Quick Security Responses is disabled, but does not specify which ones.
This feature is also present in iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura. However, these updates won’t be out until October, so Apple’s support document doesn’t list them at this time. Read: Tips for backing up your iPhone
Why You Shouldn’t Remove iPhone Security Patches
By separating security patches from standard iOS releases, Apple can react much faster to protect the privacy and security of its customers. Suppose there is a new zero-day exploit in iOS that is used in the wild to target unsuspecting iPhone users.
Once Apple creates a solution to patch the vulnerability, it can automatically push and install it on all devices that have Rapid Security Response enabled. Previously, people had to wait for a fix to be implemented in a future iOS software update, which left them vulnerable to exploits.
The vast majority of regular users should leave automatic iPhone fixes enabled by default. Otherwise, you will have to wait for full iOS updates to get the fixes. It goes without saying that no one should remove a security patch installed by Rapid Security Response since iOS 16 unless they have a very good reason to do so.
If you are an application developer, it is useful to be able to test your software with different security patches installed. Another example would be some business apps and management tools. Apart from these extreme cases, everyone should just activate the quick security patches on their iPhone and be done with it.
