Bricked iPhone 16 Can Be Restored Wirelessly Using Another iPhone
Apple’s new feature that lets an iPhone 16 wirelessly restore its firmware from another iPhone is seen as a usability win for people who don’t own a computer, but it raises questions about security, theft incentives, and the loose use of the term “bricked.” Commenters largely conclude that secure boot, cryptographic signing, and Activation Lock still prevent meaningful off‑grid jailbreaking or resale of stolen devices, though some remain wary of new attack surfaces or state‑level exploits. The change also fuels speculation about Apple eventually removing physical ports and prompts debate over alternative update models like A/B partitions that could further reduce the risk of failed upgrades.
Security, Jailbreaking, and Exploit Surface
- Several comments argue this wireless restore is unlikely to enable jailbreaking: installs remain cryptographically tied to hardware and require Apple servers.
- Others note jailbreaks historically come from implementation bugs, so any new recovery path is interesting to researchers.
- People stress that DFU/restore mode already exists; this just replaces the wired link with wireless, so the trust and signing model should be the same.
- Some see Apple’s willingness to allow wireless restore as a sign they are confident in their secure‑boot chain.
Theft, Activation Lock, and Resale Value
- Concern: easier unbricking could boost the stolen‑iPhone market (e.g., “chor bazaar”).
- Counterpoint: Activation Lock remains; being able to restore firmware does not bypass ownership locking, which is what really limits resale value.
Meaning of “Bricked”
- Several posters say a device that can still be restored, even wirelessly, is not truly “bricked.”
- True bricking is framed as irrecoverable without extraordinary hardware work (or at all).
Ports, USB‑C, and Wireless‑Only Future
- Some speculate this is preparation for a port‑less iPhone; others are skeptical, noting EU rules that require USB‑C if a port exists.
- Debate over whether Apple adopted USB‑C mainly due to regulation or because moving away from Lightning was inevitable.
- A few worry about increased power for state‑level adversaries if everything is wireless and tightly controlled, though secure boot is cited as a strong constraint.
Practical Utility and User Scenarios
- Several note many people now only own phones/tablets and no PC, so needing a computer for recovery is a real barrier.
- Wireless restore via another iPhone is seen as a meaningful usability win in those households.
Update Model, Reliability, and A/B Partitions
- Some suggest Apple should adopt Android‑style A/B system partitions to auto‑rollback failed updates and reduce “update anxiety.”
- Others respond that:
- Space and complexity costs are nontrivial.
- iOS failures during update are reported as very rare.
- Security goals discourage keeping bootable older, unpatched versions.