Apple’s USB Restricted Mode: how to use your iPhone’s latest security feature

Apple quietly introduced a significant privacy safeguard as part of the new iOS 11.4.1 update that was released on July 9th. USB Restricted Mode prevents USB accessories that plug into the Lightning port from making data connections with an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch if your iOS device has been locked for over an hour. This seemingly small change goes a long way in blocking tools used by law enforcement to crack passcodes and circumvent Apple’s encryption and built-in measures designed to shield sensitive user data.