iBoot to mBoot -- Apple's iPhone bootloader has a mysterious new name
Summary
Apple has renamed its iOS bootloader from 'iBoot' to 'mBoot' in the second iOS 26.4 developer beta. This marks the first name change in nearly two decades, alongside new features for end-to-end encrypted RCS texting with Android devices.
Key Insights
What is a bootloader and what is its role in iOS?
A bootloader is low-level software that runs when an iPhone powers on, initializing hardware and loading the iOS operating system to ensure secure startup.
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Why might Apple have renamed its bootloader from iBoot to mBoot?
The rename from iBoot to mBoot in iOS 26.4 beta marks the first change in nearly 20 years, possibly indicating internal updates or new secure boot capabilities, though Apple has not disclosed the specific reason.
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