iPad Mini 7 Supports Over-the-Air Recovery Using Another iOS Device

[MacRumors]

In iOS 18, Apple includes a new over-the-air recovery feature designed to revive bricked iPhone 16 devices using another iPhone or an iPad, and it appears that the same feature can be used to recover the new iPad mini 7, too.

In iOS 18, placing an iPhone 16 next to another iPhone or iPad can start an over-the-air firmware recovery – the other device downloads a new iOS firmware and transfers it to the bricked device, removing the need to connect it to a computer. ‌This contrasts with iPhone 15 and earlier models, which require connection to a Mac or PC to restore the firmware.

9to5Mac today reports that the firmware shipped with the iPad mini 7, which is powered by an A17 Pro chip, includes the same RecoveryOS partition that was added to the iPhone 16 models. The finding puts to bed the earlier theory that the RecoveryOS partition was something exclusive to the A18 chip in the iPhone 16.

Evidence that Apple has been working on an over-the-air recovery method for iOS devices first appeared way back in iOS 13.4. Whether Apple intends to add the functionality to other iPhone or iPad models via a software update remains unclear. Apple introduced the iPad mini 7 on October 15, and the first pre-orders are arriving in the hands of customers today.

Article Link: iPad Mini 7 Supports Over-the-Air Recovery Using Another iOS Device

 

[Apple_Robert]

Very nice feature and one I hope I never need to use.

 

[MayaUser]

a good feature for any new device, better to have it and not need it than vice versa

 

[SanderEvers]

The future is wireless. I hope Apple will remove the USB-C port from all their devices soon.


This post is sarcastic.

 

[BBCWatcher]

The future is wireless. I hope Apple will remove the USB-C port from all their devices soon.
This post is sarcastic.

The future is sound. I hope Apple will remove the screen from all their devices soon.

 

[one more]

“Whether Apple intends to add the functionality to other iPhone or iPad models via a software update remains unclear.”

They totally should for their own sake, as the percentage of iPhone 16s and new iPads supporting it is still quite low. This could free up Apple support staff.

 

[Krishspine]

The future is sound. I hope Apple will remove the screen from all their devices soon.

😂😂

 

[rotvaldi]

The future is sound. I hope Apple will remove the screen from all their devices soon.

The future is M chips I hope Apple will remove the iPhone chips from all their devices soon.

 

[SmokyT18]

Not to be negative but I hope this feature works better on an iPad than it did or didn’t I should say on my now unrecoverable Apple TV 4K.

 

[SanderEvers]

The future is sound. I hope Apple will remove the screen from all their devices soon.

Well. We already have an Apple TV, Mac Mini and Mac Studio. So anything's possible.

 

[Sir_Macs_A_Lot]

Wait, so I can sit my bricked Mini 7 next to ANY iPhone and it will assist in recovery?

 

[iPay]

Wait, so I can sit my bricked Mini 7 next to ANY iPhone and it will assist in recovery?

Or, it will brick the iPhone

 

[McScooby]

The codemonkeys will be on this, seeing if it can unbrick a bricked find my idevice, let’s hope someone has thought this thru.

 

[svish]

Good to see this functionality on the new iPad mini

 

[alchemistmuffin]

9to5Mac today reports that the firmware shipped with the iPad mini 7, which is powered by an A17 Pro chip, includes the same RecoveryOS partition that was added to the iPhone 16 models.

Unfortunately this is again won't be expanded to older devices, again, hardware limitation.

The A17 Pro on iPad Mini is an updated version with recovery partition which is located in Secure Enclave. There is no way to put it into existing device via software update, as it's part of physical partition.