Since iOS 26, a malfunctioning iPhone could boot into Recovery Assistant automatically, but only after a startup failure. In iOS 27, currently in beta, Apple removes that limitation, letting you manually boot into a Mac-style recovery screen anytime. The new mode lets you troubleshoot, update, or erase your device without a computer, connects to known Wi-Fi, and shows battery percentage.

To access it, turn off your iPhone, wait a minute, then press and hold the Side button. Keep holding past the Apple logo until "Continue holding for recovery..." appears, then release when "Loading recovery options..." shows. The recovery screen offers five options: Recovery Assistant (auto-fixes software issues), Software Update, Diagnostics Mode, Erase All Content and Settings, and traditional Recovery Mode for Mac/PC restore.

On newer models, holding the Side button again reveals a hidden sixth option: Nearby Device Recovery, which restores using another nearby Apple device, similar to a feature introduced on iPhone 16. To exit, tap the on-screen power button or hold the physical Side button for Restart or Shut Down. iOS 27 is in public beta now, releasing this fall.