Security updates help patch vulnerabilities in your iPhone that could be exploited by cybercriminals. Downloading those updates as soon as possible helps keep you and your device safe, and iOS 26.1 is making it easier to do that.
Apple released iOS 26.1 on Monday, almost two months after the company released iOS 26 to the general public. While that update brought Liquid Glass, call screening and more to your iPhone, iOS 26.1 also introduced a new feature called Security Improvements.
Security Improvements could be an easy way for Apple to implement smaller security measures without issuing a full iOS update. This feature reminds me of Apple's Rapid Security Responses the company introduced in 2023. The RSR updates were a way for the company to quickly deploy security fixes to devices, but Apple hasn't issued an RSR since the release of iOS 16.5.1 (c) in July 2023.
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Here's how to enable Security Improvements to be installed on your iPhone automatically, so you get the most protection on your device at all times.
Where to find Security Improvements
1. Tap Settings.
2. Tap Privacy & Security.
3. Tap Background Security Improvements near the bottom of the menu.
4. Tap the toggle next to Automatically Install.
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