A version of the “iPhone 13” that does not have a Lightning port could force the change of recovery processes, says a report, with an “Internet Recovery” mode that allows you to reinstall iOS without having to connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC .
Recovering an unresponsive iPhone usually requires connecting it to another device, usually through the Lightning port on the base. If the rumors about an iPhone without ports are true, the lack of a Lightning port or any other standard physical connection can make the device difficult to maintain.
To allow full reinstallation of iOS on an unresponsive iPhone without a separate physical connection, Apple would have looked for ways to do so. Based on rumors from Appleosofie, the main way to do this is through something called “Internet Recovery”.
Apple software is said to be examining three ways to get the iPhone into a recovery mode.
The first method involves a user who puts the iPhone into a manual recovery mode, triggering the Internet Restore broadcast. This is taken over by nearby Macs or a computer with iTunes installed, which will display instructions to guide the user through the rest of the restore.
The second way is for the device to enter automatically, displaying the same requests again. A third involves using Bluetooth as a “last resort” measure to broadcast the signal and transfer data.
Apple is believed to be interested in using the first two methods for recovery options and seems to have been testing the processes for some time. However, it is argued that the processes are currently too slow for public use, indicating that more work is needed on this topic.
While wireless recovery options are the main focus of the effort, physical access is still not completely forgotten. It seems that a hardware team is considering using pogo pads to initiate a physical connection, without requiring a standard port to be available.
It is currently suggested that Apple may hide the pads on the back of the SIM card slot and use a custom cable for the SIM card tray to interface with them.
Hidden ports are not new to Apple, like the one behind the Apple TV, as well as the Apple Watch. However, it is argued that the team working on the problem is not allowed to make casing modifications, such as protecting the pads behind a door or panel, which could make development harder.
Rumors about the iPhone without ports have circulated over the years, but so far it has not proved correct. The relative lack of a track record also makes it difficult to consider how authentic the rumor is at the moment.
Currently, it is said that the “iPhone 13” would have a permanent display that could work at 120Hz, a four-camera system on the back with LiDAR, a minimized notch and the return of Touch ID.