Fix iPhone Without Cable: iOS 26 Recovery Tool Unveiled

Apple has added a new wireless recovery option in its iOS 26 beta 2 release, allowing users to restore iPhones without connecting them to a Mac or PC. This tool is expected to significantly streamline the device recovery process, especially during unexpected crashes.

Although the stable iOS 26 version will launch alongside the iPhone 17 series later this year, the beta version already includes the Recovery Assistant. Apple states the feature activates if the device fails to start properly. Once triggered, the iPhone enters recovery mode and attempts to diagnose and fix issues automatically.

According to reports, a message appears on affected devices: "This iPhone encountered an issue while starting. To aid in diagnosing and resolving it, it has booted into Recovery. Recovery will look for any problems and attempt to resolve them if found."

While the feature removes the need for a wired connection to begin recovery, users will still require another Apple device, such as an iPad, to initiate certain steps. This supporting device will help reinstall a stable iOS version on the problematic iPhone.

Apple has not confirmed if this recovery tool will be available universally or only on newer models. Public beta testers will have access to the feature next month. Until then, the tech community is closely watching whether this update simplifies a long-standing issue for iPhone users.