Apple has released iOS 26.3 (a) for developers and public beta testers, bringing with it, the first implementation of Background Security Improvements,
Apple introduced the Background Security Improvements feature in iOS 26.1, but there hasn’t been any deployment of it yet for general use.
The feature is a replacement for the Rapid Security Response system introduced with iOS 16.
The release betas only include a test update.
Apple state:
Background Security Improvements delivers lightweight security releases for components such as the Safari browser, WebKit framework stack, and other system libraries that benefit from smaller, ongoing security patches between software updates.
What is interesting about the new feature is that if there is a compatibility issue, Background Security Improvements may be temporarily removed and then enhanced in a subsequent software update.
Settings for Background Security Improvements can be found in the Privacy and Security menu.
- On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > Privacy & Security.
- On Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Privacy & Security.
Go to Background Security Improvements and make sure that “Automatically Install” is turned on.
If you choose to turn off this setting, your device will not receive these improvements until theyʼre included in a subsequent software update.
Background Security Improvements is supported and enabled for future releases starting with iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, and macOS 26.1.
