Recently, it was brought to my attention by @jonah that iPads have a microphone kill switch when used with an MFi case. The timing is kind of funny as Apple is rumored to announce a new generation of the iPad Mini as early as next week. The iPad Mini is a smaller and arguably more portable version o…

[image] iluvprivacy: Could this be a viable iPhone replacement? Yes.

It’s definitely possible. Joseph Cox of 404 Media uses an iPad Air as a phone replacement. [image] I Don't Own a Cellphone. Can This Privacy-Focused Network Change That? A small tech company called Cape has been selling a privacy-focused cellphone service to the U.S. military. Now Cape …

I wonder what his exact setup and configuration is. Would love to learn from him.

[image] iluvprivacy: more portable version of the iPad Pro 11”. If it has the same OLED display I might replace my phone with an iPad mini myself :joy: [image] iluvprivacy: so it will have MTE There is still no official documentation that iPadOS or macOS can use Memory Integrity Enfor…

[image] iluvprivacy: iPads have a microphone kill switch when used with an MFi case Sorry, I’m dense. What’s the connection between the microphone and a specific type of case?

Not at all, it’s not a very well known feature. Hardware microphone disconnect - Apple Support iPad models from 2020 onwards also feature the hardware microphone disconnect. When an MFi-compliant case (including those sold by Apple) is attached to the iPad and closed, the microphone is disconnect…

I think we’re still trying to figure out if third-party cases will trigger the kill switch. That would be ideal as they’re much cheaper!

The only issue I can think of is that Apple will likely restrict the Mini’s screen to 60Hz. An iPad Mini with a 120Hz screen would be very desirable, but it’s unlikely Apple will do it. I get your point, but maybe the software isn’t ready yet. I suspect once the hardware is in place, it’s only a ma…

They would have to be MFi-compliant as stated by @phnx , unless you are willing to create your own independent certificate validation procedure.

[image] iluvprivacy: Apple will likely restrict the Mini’s screen to 60Hz Why would they do that when even the iPhone 17 is 120 Hz now? [image] iluvprivacy: I get your point, but maybe the software isn’t ready yet. I suspect once the hardware is in place, it’s only a matter of time befor…

Replacing an iPhone with an iPad Mini?

Questions

jonah (Jonah Aragon) March 1, 2026, 5:41pm 5

If it has the same OLED display I might replace my phone with an iPad mini myself

There is still no official documentation that iPadOS or macOS can use Memory Integrity Enforcement in software, even if the SoC supports it. In fact Apple is very clear in their developer docs on enabling MIE in your app:

This setting is available on iOS 26 and later on iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, or iPhone Air.

No mention of chipsets and no mention of anything other than iOS.

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Replacing an iPhone with an iPad Mini?

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