A version of the iPhone 13 that does not have a Lightning port can force changes to recovery processes, according to a report, with an “Internet Recovery” mode that allows you to reinstall iOS without having to connect the iPhone to a Mac or PC.
Recovering an unresponsive iPhone usually requires it to be connected to another device, usually via the base’s Lightning port. If rumors about a portless iPhone are true, the lack of a Lightning port or any other standard physical connection can make it difficult to maintain the device.
To allow a full reinstall of iOS on an iPhone that doesn’t respond without a different physical connection, Apple is supposedly looking for ways to do this. Based on rumors of Appleosofia, the main way to do this is through something provisionally called “Internet Recovery”.
Apple’s software teams are said to be examining three ways to get the iPhone into a mode that will allow it to recover.
The first method involves a user putting the iPhone into a manual recovery mode and causing the Internet to restore. This is picked up by nearby Macs or a PC with iTunes installed, which will show directions to guide the user during the rest of the restore.
The second way is for the device itself to enter the mode automatically, again showing the same callsigns. A third is apparently to use Bluetooth as a measure of “last resort” to transmit the signal and for data transfer.
Apple is believed 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 that the processes are currently too slow for public use, indicating that more work is needed on the subject.
While wireless recovery options are the main focus of the effort, physical access is still not completely forgotten. Apparently, a hardware team is considering using pogo pads to initiate a physical connection, without the need for a standard port.
It is currently recommended that Apple be able to hide the pads on the back of the SIM card slot and use a custom SIM card tray cable to connect to it.
Hidden ports are not new to Apple, such as the one on the back of the Apple TV and the Apple Watch. However, it is claimed that the team working on the problem cannot make modifications to the housing, such as protecting the pads behind a door or panel, which could hinder development.
Rumors about the portless iPhone have circulated over the years, but so far have not been proven correct. The relative lack of background of the dam also makes it difficult to consider the genuineness of the rumor at this time.
It is currently rumored that the “iPhone 13” has an ever-active screen that can also run at 120Hz, a four-camera system on the back with LiDAR, a minimal notch, and the return of Touch ID.