A version of the “iPhone 13” that does not have a Lightning port could force changes to recovery processes, a report claims, with an “Internet Recovery” mode that allows iOS reinstallation without the iPhone with a Mac or PC having to connect.
To fix an unresponsive iPhone, it usually needs to be connected to another device, usually through the Lightning port on the base. If rumors of a portless iPhone are true, the lack of a Lightning port or some other standard physical connection can make the device difficult to maintain.
To enable a full reinstallation of iOS on an unresponsive iPhone without a clear physical connection, Apple is looking for ways to do it. Based on rumors from Appleosophy, the main way to do this is something that’s called “Internet Recovery” for now.
Apple’s software teams are reportedly investigating three ways to put the iPhone into a mode that allows it to restore.
The first method involves a user putting the iPhone into a manual recovery mode, which triggers the broadcast via internet recovery. This will be picked up by nearby Macs or a PC with iTunes installed, which will bring up prompts to walk the user through the rest of the recovery.
The second way is for the device itself to enter the mode automatically and display the same prompts. A third apparently concerns the use of Bluetooth as a “last resort” measure to broadcast the signal and for data transfer.
Apple is believed to be interested in using the first two recovery options methods, 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 needs to be done on the topic.
While wireless recovery options are the main focus of the effort, physical access is still not completely forgotten. A hardware team is apparently considering using pogo pads to establish a physical connection, without requiring a standard port to be available.
It is currently proposed that Apple could hide the pads on the back of the SIM card slot and use a modified SIM card tray cable to communicate with it.
Hidden ports aren’t new to Apple, like those on the back of the Apple TV and Apple Watch. However, it is claimed that the team working on the issue should not make any modifications to the case, such as shielding the pads behind a door or panel, which could make development more difficult.
Port-less iPhone rumors have circulated over the years, but so far it has 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 the moment.
According to rumors, the “iPhone 13” currently has an always-on display that can also run at 120Hz, a four-camera system on the back with LiDAR, a minimal notch and the return of Touch ID.