Apple tests Background Security Improvements in iOS 26.3 and macOS Tahoe 26.3 betas
January 9, 2026, 12:02 AM EST. Apple is testing a second phase of Background Security Improvements in the iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3 and macOS Tahoe 26.3 betas. The updates install outside the normal update flow and target Safari, WebKit, and other core libraries. They can be installed manually via Settings > Privacy and Security or applied automatically if the option is enabled; skipping them still yields the fixes later with a standard update. For now the effort centers on testing delivery rather than new fixes. The program replaces the earlier Rapid Security Response approach, offering a less intrusive mechanism that can be opted out of. Apple warns of rare compatibility issues and can remove a background update, delivering a revised version later. The goal: speedier protection and stronger browser security as web attacks rise.
