New recovery assistant: iOS 26 can repair itself
Apple has introduced a new function in the second beta of iOS 26 that should help with iPhone startup problems. For the first time, it has a Recovery Assistant.
New recovery assistant in iOS 26: a last resort?
(Image: Apple / Mac & i)
Since iOS 18, it has been possible to revive iPhone 16 models with the help of other iPhones, which previously required a Mac or Windows computer. With iOS 26, Apple is going one step further: the iPhone is getting its recovery assistant for the first time. The Recovery Assistant is similar to what we know from the Mac, but is more simply structured and easier to use. As Apple writes in the release notes for the second developer beta of iOS 26, the technology is a “new way to recover your device when it no longer starts normally.” The Recovyer Assistant has a diagnostic mode to search for problems and fix them if necessary.
A second device may also be necessary in some cases
Apple does not specify which exact device states activate the recovery assistant. However, it is probably always about boot issues. It is also still unclear to what extent the assistant itself can help to restore the iPhone. According to information on Reddit, the system may also ask the user to connect another device, which may be another iPhone or an iPad in addition to the Mac and PC for iPhone 16.
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It is then also possible to install the latest operating system on the affected iPhone to get it running again. It is also unclear whether data will be retained – In the worst case, it may be necessary to restore from a backup. Certain errors can only ever be rectified with a second device.
Major bug in the first beta of iOS 26
Interestingly, the first developer beta of iOS 26 already contained a bug that could prevent the device from starting. As Apple writes, “some” iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models experienced start-up problems when the battery was empty (battery symbol). In this case, recovery was only possible via Mac or Windows (Apple device app) – using a USB-C cable.
After that, you could only install an update – and later perform a restore from a backup. This shows that you should be careful with betas. Apple is launching its public beta of iOS 26 in July. Public pre-releases are, at least in most cases, more stable than developer betas.
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