In iOS 12, you can restrict access to your device's information via USB after it has been locked for over an hour.
For security purposes iOS 12 cuts access to data through the Lightning connector if the device has not been active for an hour. In this regard, you will need to unlock your device in order to connect it to a Mac, PC with Windows or some accessories.
Those using iTunes sync should allow USB access even when the device is locked.
Problems with iTunes?
While the new USB limitation improves security, so does the inconvenience.
To keep iTunes syncing every hour when you connect your device to your computer, you will need to unlock your device by entering your password or using Touch ID and Face ID.
Charging problems?
If you are using USB Accessories (iAP), the system may require you to unlock your device before sharing data.
This applies to the following types of devices:
- CarPlay
- Accessory accessories
- Charging device
- External memory
For example, a locked device will not be able to charge via iAP charging. Fortunately, this does not apply to standard power adapters.
New USB restrictions
Beta releases iOS 11.3 improved the security of the USB connection by re-authenticating after a week of inactivity. The function was removed from the final version iOS 11.3, but returned again in iOS 11.4.
To protect devices from hacker attacks and hacking using special devices, Apple further strengthened the protection in iOS 12, reducing the inactivity period from 7 days to 1 hour.
Now hackers only have an hour to connect your device to the jailbreak machine and execute it. This will reduce the likelihood of being hacked by 90%, according to security experts.
Why Apple added the restriction
Apple tries to protect users in countries where hacking using hacking devices is common, as well as where these devices are used by the authorities.
Hackers like GrayKey can guess a 6-character password in less than 24 hours. The new protection means they can now work no more than an hour. This is why the new feature was added.
Below we will explain how to set it up.
How to set up data access iPhone via USB
By default iOS 12 interrupts USB data access after 1 hour of inactivity, but the settings can be changed.
1) Open Settings on iPhone or iPad with iOS 12 and newer.
2) Depending on your device model, select Touch ID & Passcode or Face ID & Passcode, and then enter your passcode.
3) Scroll down the screen and click on the switch next to USB accessories:
- When the function is active – USB-accessories are allowed to connect to the device at any time, even if an hour has passed without activity.
- When disabled – Accessory USB access is cut off after 1 hour of inactivity.
If the device is unlocked, access will always be open. If the accessory does not connect to the device after unlocking, disconnect it, unlock the device, and then connect the accessory.
Why use a function?
Persistent access to data via USB should be enabled for people with disabilities.
If you use accessory accessories even to enter a password on the device, then access will need to be fully authorized.
This also applies to those who use iAP-based accessories. Among them:
- CarPlay
- Accessory accessories
- Charging device
- External memory
Some third-party iAP chargers may stop charging your device if it has been locked for more than an hour until you log in. Fortunately, this does not apply to standard chargers Apple.