Apple introduces wireless recovery tool with iOS 26 update

Technology Jun 26, 2025

Apple's upcoming iOS 26 update will let you recover your iPhone wirelessly—no more scrambling for a PC or Mac.
Launching alongside the iPhone 17 series, this new feature uses a built-in Recovery Assistant to help fix startup issues without all the usual cables and hassle.

How the wireless recovery option works

If your iPhone runs into trouble starting up, the Recovery Assistant automatically kicks in to diagnose and repair things.
You'll still need another Apple device (like an iPad) nearby to finish restoring and reinstalling iOS, but it's a big step toward making fixes less stressful.
The wireless recovery option is already live for developers and public beta testers trying out iOS 26 beta 2.