Bricked iPhone 16 Can Be Restored Wirelessly Using Another iPhone

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

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.