Portless 'iPhone 13' could restore iOS without needing a cable
A version of the "iPhone 13" that lacks a Lightning port could force changes to recovery processes, a report claims, with an "Internet Recovery" mode allowing for the reinstallation of iOS without needing to connect the iPhone to a Mac or PC.
Recovering an unresponsive iPhone usually requires it to be connected to another device, typically via the Lightning port on the base. If rumors of a port-less iPhone are true, the lack of a Lightning port or any other standard physical connection may make the device difficult to maintain.
To allow for a complete reinstallation of iOS on an unresponsive iPhone without a distinct physical connection, Apple is allegedly looking at ways to do so. Based on rumors from Appleosophy, the main way to do this is by something tentatively called "Internet Recovery."
Apple's software teams are said to be examining three ways to make the iPhone enter a mode that will allow it to recover.
The first method involves a user putting the iPhone into a manual recovery mode, triggering the Internet Restore broadcast. This is picked up by nearby Macs or a PC with iTunes installed, which will bring up prompts to guide the user through the rest of the restoration.
The second way is for the device itself to enter the mode automatically, again bringing up the same prompts. A third apparently involves using Bluetooth as a "last resort" measure to broadcast the signal and for data transfers.
Apple is thought to be interested in using the first two methods for recovery options, and has apparently been testing the processes for a while. However, it is claimed the processes are currently too slow for public use, indicating more work is needed on the subject.
While wireless recovery options are the main focus of the effort, physical access still isn't being completely forgotten. A hardware team is apparently considering using pogo pads to initiate a physical connection, without requiring a standard port to be available.
Currently, it is suggested Apple could hide the pads at the back of the SIM card slot and use a custom SIM card tray cable to interface with them.
Hidden ports aren't new to Apple, such as the one in the back of the Apple TV as well as the Apple Watch. However, it is claimed the team working on the problem isn't allowed to make housing modifications, such as to shield the pads behind a door or panel, which could make development tougher.
Port-less iPhone rumors have circulated over the years, but have so far yet to be proven right. The relative lack of a track record for the outlet also makes it difficult to consider how genuine the rumor is at this time.
The "iPhone 13" is currently rumored to have an always-on display that could also run at 120Hz, a four-camera system on the back with LiDAR, a minimized notch, and the return of Touch ID.
Recovering an unresponsive iPhone usually requires it to be connected to another device, typically via the Lightning port on the base. If rumors of a port-less iPhone are true, the lack of a Lightning port or any other standard physical connection may make the device difficult to maintain.
To allow for a complete reinstallation of iOS on an unresponsive iPhone without a distinct physical connection, Apple is allegedly looking at ways to do so. Based on rumors from Appleosophy, the main way to do this is by something tentatively called "Internet Recovery."
Apple's software teams are said to be examining three ways to make the iPhone enter a mode that will allow it to recover.
The first method involves a user putting the iPhone into a manual recovery mode, triggering the Internet Restore broadcast. This is picked up by nearby Macs or a PC with iTunes installed, which will bring up prompts to guide the user through the rest of the restoration.
The second way is for the device itself to enter the mode automatically, again bringing up the same prompts. A third apparently involves using Bluetooth as a "last resort" measure to broadcast the signal and for data transfers.
Apple is thought to be interested in using the first two methods for recovery options, and has apparently been testing the processes for a while. However, it is claimed the processes are currently too slow for public use, indicating more work is needed on the subject.
While wireless recovery options are the main focus of the effort, physical access still isn't being completely forgotten. A hardware team is apparently considering using pogo pads to initiate a physical connection, without requiring a standard port to be available.
Currently, it is suggested Apple could hide the pads at the back of the SIM card slot and use a custom SIM card tray cable to interface with them.
Hidden ports aren't new to Apple, such as the one in the back of the Apple TV as well as the Apple Watch. However, it is claimed the team working on the problem isn't allowed to make housing modifications, such as to shield the pads behind a door or panel, which could make development tougher.
Port-less iPhone rumors have circulated over the years, but have so far yet to be proven right. The relative lack of a track record for the outlet also makes it difficult to consider how genuine the rumor is at this time.
The "iPhone 13" is currently rumored to have an always-on display that could also run at 120Hz, a four-camera system on the back with LiDAR, a minimized notch, and the return of Touch ID.
Comments
I don't doubt we're heading in that direction but it seems too soon. Especially for iPhone 13.
What would happen with charging? It would be suicidal to remove wired charging unless something equally fast was available.
As for the 'slow' restore process. I'm not sure that should be a problem.
Apple has been producing techie marvels for almost as long as I've been alive. If they implement this (despite the handwaving, it's only a rumor at this point), I'm sure they will figure it out. They always do. People deny, people panic, people get mad, and then...acceptance. It is the way.
Wholesale switch to USB-C in 2016 and still no sign of those 'legacy' ports disappearing.
Butterfly Keyboard
Touch Bar?
Dubious reasoning for not shipping chargers
One biometrics option
...
There are plenty of decisions that they didn't get right.
I do a manual weekly back up.
Doing it over wifi regularly fails and I have to connect cable to do it.
Also migration over wifi is terribly slow, I gave up when i purchased iPhone 12 pro.
Moving from X.
After several hours I had to restart and use cable, this was done in in minutes where as I had waiting several hours and not done over wifi.
If you maintain your AppleCare+, very little could go seriously wrong. At least nothing that a trip to the Apple Store couldn't cure.
Fixed that for you!
The phone won't get any thinner - the lightning port is not the limiting factor now, so removing it will do nothing. Nor will the battery life get significantly longer just by removing the port.
I realize this is just a rumor, and hopefully it stays as one because it's a harebrained idea. For starters, You'd lose CarPlay compatibility with 95+% of the cars out there. Charging would be less efficient and slower. Apple professes to be concerned about the environment, but wireless charging wastes significant energy (upwards of 30%) For numbers on this, the iPhone 12 has a 10.8 wH batter. Assume it gets charged in 60% per day, every day, that comes out to 2.4 kWh per year. Inductive charging would waste about 1 kWh per year per phone. Then there's the people who need a battery pack. You need an external pack because you're running low on power and then you're going to waste 30% of the power you have because you have to use inductive charging??? Then there's all the accessories that won't work, as has been mentioned above.
ultimately, this is a solution looking for a problem.