iOS 16.4.1 (a): How to Download Apple’s Rapid Security Response – CNET [CNET]

May 7, 2023 Zachary McAuliffe technology

Here’s everything you need to know about this new type of iPhone update.

Zachary McAuliffe Staff writer

Zach began writing for CNET in November, 2021 after writing for a broadcast news station in his hometown, Cincinnati, for five years. You can usually find him reading and drinking coffee or watching a TV series with his wife and their dog.

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Apple released its first iPhone Rapid Security Response update, called iOS 16.4.1 (a), on Monday. The company said the update is recommended for all users and it applies important security fixes to iPhones, but Apple didn’t release security notes associated with the update.

To download the update, go to Settings > General > Software Update, tap Install Now and follow the onscreen prompts.

Some users saw an error message when installing iOS 16.4.1 (a) on their devices. The message read, “Unable to Verify Security Response,” and it said they were no longer connected to the internet. If you see this error message, you can immediately retry downloading the update or try again later.

Information about the iOS 16.4.1 (a) update — The iOS 16.4.1 (a) update doesn’t bring new features to your iPhone, but it does fix some security issues.

Zach McAuliffe/CNET

Rapid Security Response updates are a new type of device update Apple introduced alongside iOS 16.2 in December. According to Apple, Rapid Security Response updates provide users with important security fixes, and they can help mitigate security issues that are being actively exploited or have been reported. Rapid Security Response updates are designated with a letter to differentiate them from other updates.

Apple didn’t immediately respond to CNET’s request for comment.

For more iOS news, check out what features could be coming to your iPhone with iOS 16.5 and what was included in iOS 16.4.1 and iOS 16.4.