The new iPad mini includes a special firmware partition that allows the device to have its iPadOS system image restored wirelessly via a nearby iPhone or iPad device, according to a new code discovered by 9to5Mac.
The new wireless recovery mechanism is something that Apple first introduced for iOS devices with the iPhone 16 lineup. The new system, controlled by a RecoveryOS partition on the device’s disk, allows it to be wirelessly restored when entering Recovery Mode by placing an iOS or iPadOS device next to a bricked iPhone 16.
9to5Mac now reports that Apple has similarly carved out a RecoveryOS partition on the new iPad mini’s iPadOS 18 firmware. This allows the device to be wirelessly restored via a nearby iPhone or iPad running iOS 18 without having to connect a PC to initiate the recovery process.
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The wireless firmware recovery mode is only available for the iPhone 16 lineup and the new iPad mini. Unfortunately, wireless firmware recovery cannot be retroactively added to older devices. RecoveryOS must be flashed onto the device’s disk during manufacturing and assembly, presumably on the device’s Read-Only Memory (ROM).
On the other hand, any iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 device can initiate the recovery process for the iPad mini 7 and the iPhone 16. The wireless firmware recovery feature will likely be available on every new iPhone and iPad model Apple announces from now on.
