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3w ago

Apple Pilots Background Security Improvements With iOS 26.3 (a) and macOS Betas

The trial validates a background patching system meant to deliver Safari and WebKit protections between full releases, with default automatic installs plus optional rollback.

The goal of Background Security Improvements is to shield users from hackers.
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Overview

  • Apple distributed iOS 26.3 (a) and equivalent iPadOS and macOS test updates to developers and public beta testers to exercise the new security delivery mechanism.
  • Release notes state the test contains no security fixes and is intended to validate installation, visibility in Settings, and removal behavior.
  • Updates are managed under Settings > Privacy & Security > Background Security Improvements, install automatically by default, and can be removed, which triggers a restart.
  • The system targets components such as Safari, WebKit, and other libraries to provide protections between full OS updates, with the same changes later bundled into standard updates for those who skip them.
  • Apple positions the feature as the successor to Rapid Security Response and warns of rare compatibility issues that could lead to temporary removal and reissue.