In an age where digital privacy and cybersecurity threats are escalating by the day, Apple iPhone users are being urged to take immediate action to fortify their devices. Although Apple’s iOS operating system is widely regarded as among the most secure mobile platforms, a combination of newly introduced threats and evolving attack methods has prompted security experts and even members of law enforcement to single out a specific setting that should be enabled without delay.
This article explains what that setting is, why it matters, how it works, and how iPhone users can enable it quickly. We’ll also explore broader security steps that users should consider to protect their data, privacy, and devices in 2025 and beyond.
Why Now? Escalating Concern Around iPhone Vulnerabilities
Apple consistently updates iOS with security patches and new features designed to protect users. However, even with strong default protections in place, researchers and cybersecurity professionals continue to find areas where user action can significantly improve safety.
Recently, attention has shifted to a setting connected to how iPhones interact with external accessories via their Lightning or USB-C ports. This setting — commonly referred to as **“Wired Accessories” protection — is designed to protect against a type of threat known as “juice jacking.” Juice jacking occurs when a malicious charging cable or unauthorized accessory attempts to extract data or install malware while your phone is charging. Because iPhones are often charged in public places such as airports, cafes, hotels, and shared work spaces, this poses a real risk if the default settings are left unchanged.
Although Apple introduced this protection in a recent iOS update, the default configuration remains permissive on many devices, meaning that your iPhone could automatically trust certain accessories without asking you first if that’s really what you want. Security analysts are now urging users to manually change this default to ensure the highest level of protection possible.
Understanding the “Wired Accessories” Setting
What It Does
The Wired Accessories setting is part of the Privacy & Security section in your iPhone’s settings. Its primary purpose is to manage how your iPhone handles external accessories connected via USB-C or Lightning cable — especially when the device is locked.
By default, many iPhones are set to allow accessories to connect automatically when the device is unlocked. While this is convenient, it creates a security gap: an unauthorized cable or accessory could potentially interact with your device without the level of approval you might expect.
Changing the setting to a more restrictive mode — such as “Always Ask” — ensures that any accessory must receive explicit permission from the user before it can access data, which greatly reduces the risk of unauthorized access even if someone connects your phone to a hostile device.
Why Apple Didn’t Turn This On by Default
Apple designs iOS to balance usability with security. Auto-approval for accessories when a device is unlocked is a usability choice: it allows users to connect headphones, charging stations, and trusted accessories with less friction. However, user convenience sometimes comes at the cost of security.
Because most iPhone users rarely interact with suspicious accessories, Apple has kept the default setting in a relaxed mode. But recent warnings suggest that this default may not be protective enough against modern threats, including physically connected attack vectors.
Security specialists now recommend that every iPhone user enable the most restrictive wired accessory control available to protect their device.
How to Enable the Key Setting (Step-by-Step)
Here’s how to find and activate the Wired Accessories protection:
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Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
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Scroll down and tap Privacy & Security.
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Scroll further until you locate the Wired Accessories section.
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Tap Wired Accessories.
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You will see multiple options:
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Always Ask – Most secure. Your iPhone will require permission before connecting any accessory.
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Ask for New Accessories – Slightly less strict, but still safer than automatic approval.
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Automatically Allow When Unlocked – The default on many devices.
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Always Allow – Least secure option.
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Select “Always Ask” to ensure your iPhone will always prompt before allowing any wired accessory connection.
Once this is enabled, your iPhone will require your explicit permission before any accessory is allowed to communicate with your phone through a wired connection. For most users this is a small inconvenience for a major gain in security.
Beyond Wired Accessories: Other Important Security Settings
While Wired Accessories protection is the setting currently being emphasized by experts, it is just one part of a larger suite of security tools available on iPhones. For comprehensive protection, users should also consider enabling the following:
1. Passcode and Biometric Security
The first line of defense is a strong passcode. Your iPhone should always use at least a six-digit passcode, and ideally use biometric locks such as Face ID or Touch ID for everyday use. If these features aren’t already enabled, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older models) and ensure that both your biometric unlock and passcode are active. A passcode also prevents unauthorized access to secure elements of the device like Wallet, system settings, and encrypted data.
2. Activation Lock & Find My iPhone
Activation Lock is automatically enabled when Find My iPhone is turned on. This feature prevents anyone from reactivating your iPhone if it is lost or stolen without your Apple ID and password. This is a crucial layer of protection for anyone who values the security of their data and device.
3. Advanced Data Protection for iCloud
iCloud Backup and sync services are convenient, but by default not all of your iCloud data is end-to-end encrypted. Enabling Advanced Data Protection ensures that photos, messages, health data, and other sensitive information stored in iCloud can only be decrypted by your devices and not by Apple or anyone else.
4. Stolen Device Protection
A newer feature in iOS versions is Stolen Device Protection. This adds a delay to certain critical security changes unless biometric authentication is followed by a waiting period. This helps prevent a thief who knows your passcode from immediately changing security settings after stealing your phone.
5. Contact Key Verification
For users who want the highest level of messaging security, Apple’s Contact Key Verification adds an extra layer of protection to iMessage and FaceTime communications. This feature verifies that you are communicating with the intended recipient and not an impostor. To enable this, go to Settings > Your Name > Contact Key Verification and follow the instructions.
6. Mail Privacy Protection and App Privacy Controls
Apple also offers features that protect your email activity and limit app access to personal data like location, contacts, photos, and Bluetooth. These can be found under Settings > Privacy & Security. Adjusting these settings to minimize unnecessary data access enhances your privacy posture.
What Happens if You Don’t Enable These Settings?
Failing to enable key security settings on your iPhone could have several consequences, ranging from minor privacy annoyances to serious breaches of personal data.
Increased Vulnerability to Hardware Attacks
Leaving the Wired Accessories setting at its less restrictive default may allow an unauthorized accessory to access your device without your knowledge — especially in public charging scenarios. While physical access to your phone is still required, many devices are left unattended or borrowed briefly in public areas.
Easy Access to Sensitive Information
Without a strong passcode or biometric lock, anyone who picks up your unlocked phone can access emails, banking apps, stored passwords, and even sensitive messages. Even with biometrics enabled, a weak fallback passcode can be exploited.
Loss of Control in Case of Theft
Without Activation Lock or stolen device protections enabled, a thief can potentially wipe and reactivate your device, gaining access to your accounts and data. This not only leads to loss of personal information but also can enable identity theft.
Common Misconceptions About iPhone Security
“iPhones Are Secure by Default — I Don’t Need to Do Anything”
This is partially true. iPhones come with many strong default protections. However, security experts agree that no device is impervious, and user-configurable settings exist precisely to give users more granular control over their privacy. These should be leveraged, especially in today’s threat environment.
“Strong Passcodes Are Enough”
While a strong passcode is fundamental, it is just one layer. Data encryption, network privacy controls, and protections against connected threats (like the Wired Accessories setting) are also essential layers of defense.
“Public Charging Isn’t a Big Deal”
Contrary to what many believe, public USB ports and charging stations can be manipulated to behave like data ports, potentially exposing connected devices to harm. It’s always safer to use trusted chargers or battery packs and configure your iPhone to ask before allowing accessory connections.
What Experts Say
Security analysts have noted that the Wired Accessories default in recent iOS builds is unnecessarily permissive, and that changing it earns a substantial payoff in security for minimal effort. Many consider this one of the most impactful settings that everyday users can adjust.
Meanwhile, other security authorities emphasize that security is a layered process: combining hardware protections like passcodes and biometrics with software controls like privacy settings, encrypted backups, and permissions management provides the best defense against both physical and digital threats.
Conclusion: Act Now to Protect Your iPhone
In a world where digital threats evolve rapidly, waiting to address known vulnerabilities on your device can expose you to unnecessary risk. The Wired Accessories setting — while just one of many security options — represents a simple and powerful step you can take right now to significantly improve the security of your iPhone.
In addition to enabling this setting, users should also invest time in reviewing and enabling other important protections, such as strong passcodes, Activation Lock, stolen device protections, and privacy controls. Together, these settings help ensure that your iPhone remains a secure hub for your personal and professional life.