Apple Releases Supplemental Security Update for OS X El Capitan - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Releases Supplemental Security Update for OS X El Capitan

by

OS X El Capitan LogoApple today released a new version of OS X El Capitan Security Update 2016-003, fixing an additional kernel issue that could cause Macs running the operating system to freeze up and become unresponsive.

The 2016-003 Security Update for OS X El Capitan was originally released on December 13 alongside macOS Sierra 10.12.2, but was today reissued with the fix.

Customers who have not downloaded the security update at all will get the new version when updating their machines, while customers who previously installed the security fix will receive a supplemental update to address the freezing problem.

The OS X El Capitan Security Update 2016-003 Supplemental Update fixes a kernel issue that may cause your Mac to occasionally become unresponsive.

Mac users who are still running OS X El Capitan can download the update through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store, and direct download links are also available (Standard Update/Supplemental Update).

The original 2016-003 update fixed a number of security vulnerabilities in the OS X El Capitan operating system.

Related Forum: OS X El Capitan

Top Rated Comments

126 months ago
I think you may have missed the obvious sarcasm in his post.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bart Kela Avatar
126 months ago
Aren't there any reasonable apple users that don't moan and groan the same anti apple stuff every time the slightest little thing happens? And why don't you move to Windows and receive those very other day updates? That will give you lots to complain about.

I understand how complex computers have become and how hard it can be to prevent issues. I applaud Apple for what they do. I deplore users who love to complain for the sake of complaining. They should be banned from using Apple products, which frankly, are too good for them.
Smilies were invented to add some subtlety to online written communications. In this case, they communicate sarcasm and the emojis used were correctly employed.

Next time, when a contributor includes emojis, think about what made them consciously decide to include those in the post.

As a matter of fact, MORE people here should use emojis since there are a large number of readers for whom English is not their first language.

Thank you for reading. :D
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Daniel Reed Avatar
126 months ago
It's a security update, not a feature change.
Yes, folks should apply the patch.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
126 months ago
Ugh, ANOTHER security update? Can't apple EVER get ANYTHING right?



;):rolleyes:
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
126 months ago
Man 10.11.6 is running fine on my 12" rMB do I want to rattle the bee's nest ?
No. Wait until you crash, lose your data, scream so loud you have a stroke, and then update.

Ugh, ANOTHER security update? Can't apple EVER get ANYTHING right?



;):rolleyes:
Aren't there any reasonable apple users that don't moan and groan the same anti apple stuff every time the slightest little thing happens? And why don't you move to Windows and receive those very other day updates? That will give you lots to complain about.

I understand how complex computers have become and how hard it can be to prevent issues. I applaud Apple for what they do. I deplore users who love to complain for the sake of complaining. They should be banned from using Apple products, which frankly, are too good for them.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Whitfield Avatar
126 months ago
Holy crap, this was APPLE'S fault?? I've been banging my head against this problem for weeks now, trying to figure out what "kernel task" could possibly be demanding 95% of my 2012 rMBP's resources. :mad:
Not sure about others' experience here, but not only has this not fixed my kernel_task errors, but now I'm experiencing even more memory/CPU headaches. Every hour or so almost all of my apps will become unresponsive, they can't be brought to the front or quit normally. If I force quit them then I can easily open them again, so it's not an issue with total load on the system (2012 rMBP/16GB/750GB with 120GB free). I've already run fsck and other housecleaning tasks and restarted multiple times. I'm about to throw this *&$% computer out the window.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 27 Next to iPhone

Here's When iOS 27 Rolls Out Today in Every Time Zone [Update: It's Out]

Sunday September 13, 2026 3:00 am PDT by
Update 10:04 a.m.: iOS 27 is rolling out now, though it may take a bit for all users to see it, so keep checking! Apple is about to release iOS 27, which will finally deliver more advanced Siri AI capabilities as well as a variety of other refinements, improvements, and new features to iPhones. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and Apple announced at Wednesday's iPhone event...
iOS 27 Icon iPhone

iOS 27 Available Now With These 8 New Features

Monday September 14, 2026 9:00 am PDT by
Update — 10 a.m. Pacific Time: Apple has released iOS 27. During its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo event last week, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released widely on Monday, September 14. iOS 27 should be available around 10 a.m. Pacific Time / 1 p.m. Eastern Time today via the Settings app, under General → Software Update. Below, we have highlighted eight new features and...
Apple iCloud Plus expansion hero

iCloud+ Now Includes Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and Curated Apple Music Stations in Over 100 Countries

Tuesday September 15, 2026 1:43 am PDT by
Apple today announced a new subscription initiative that turns paid iCloud+ subscriptions into a broader services bundle in more than 100 countries. In select countries, Apple says every paid iCloud+ plan, including the cheapest 50GB tier, now includes Apple TV and Apple Arcade "at no additional cost," while family sharing extends the storage, TV and Arcade access to up to five people....

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors