Apple rolls out security protection on devices
Features change between major software updates
By: Greta Cross
USA Today
..... Apple recently released a new security protection for its devices to work in the background between major software updates.
.....
Apple users may have already noticed the first Background Security Improvements on the iPhone, iPad and Mac. Operating on a device constantly, rather, than just during a software update, the improvements provide "lightweight security releases" for Safari systems libraries and WebKit framework stack, which includes Apple's Mail and App Store apps, according to the Apple Support website.
.....
The changes deliver new security releases between software updates on compatible iPhones, iPads and Macs. They are supported by iPhone with iOS 26.1, iPad with iPadOS 26.1 and Macs with macOS 26.1, apple stated on its website.
..... The first security updat4e, released March 17 [2026] and affected Webkit, which includes Apple's Safari, Mail and App Store Apps. The update targeted a "cross-origin issue in the Navigation API," according to the Apple Support website.
.....
An API, or application programming interface, is a set of rules that allows different software to exchange data with each other.
..... Background Security Improvements will be set to automatically install by default. If a user decides to turn it off, the device will not receive background improvements until the next software update, according to the Apple website.
.....
Users can turn off the security updates in a device's settings.
..... * iPhone and iPad: Go to the Settings app, tap Privacy & security, then tap Background Security Improvements.
..... * Mac: From the apple menu, select system Settings, then click Privacy & Security.