Apple devices have collected a name for being safe and hard for hackers to hack. With the assistance of the passcode, TouchID and currently FaceID,
Apple’s closed scheme has created it next to not possible for anyone to sneak peek into your device while not obtaining the access to your passcode or TouchID. However, enforcement agencies are continually a step previous smartphone makers and have exploited loopholes that exist.
Even once foolproof ways of security, cops noted a loophole that can be exploited to unlock the phone and acquire access to the contents of the iPhone/iPad while not requiring users passcode or TouchID.
However, Apple has currently close up the loophole with the recent feature named USB Restricted Mode that has been introduced in iOS 11.4.1 update.
This loophole came within the kind of iPhone/iPad’s USB port to that devices like GrayKey may be connected, and brute force hack may be deployed to unlock the device.
Many third-party app developers and corporations like Grayshift and Celebrate have benefited by inventing devices that might facilitate enforcement agencies to bypass the lock screen while not requiring a passcode.
What is USB Restricted Mode in iPhone?
USB Restricted Mode may be a new feature that was extended to users in iOS 11.4.1 update once testing in beta versions earlier.
With the mode turned off (Yes, off!) in your iPhone/iPad, your device would now not be able to establish a reference to USB accessories that are obstructed in charging port if it’s not been unbolted for quite Associate in Nursing hour.
Simply speech, turning off USB Restricted Mode in iPhone/iPad would stop enforcement agencies from connecting devices that may brute force your passcode and access your phone’s content. The USB lightning port would work just for charging your device.
The official diary post explaining the new feature, browse “If you don’t initial unlock your password-protected device—or you haven’t unbolted & connected it to a USB accent at intervals the past hour—your iOS device won’t communicate with the accent or pc, or it would not charge.”
However, as we tend to aforesaid that enforcement agencies are a step previous smartphone makers, they need found a loophole during this loophole closing feature. (Funny, isn’t it?)
How To Use USB Restricted Mode in iOS?
USB Restricted Mode is turned on by default and Apple has made the title of the feature confusing. If the toggle button is off, then the USB Restricted Mode is on and vice versa.
If you want to allow access to USB accessories even after your phone has not been unlocked for one hour, then you need to turn off USB Restricted feature manually.
- Go to Settings and visit ‘Touch ID & Passcode’ section from there.
Use USB Restricted Mode in iOS
- Enter your passcode when prompted and scroll down to the end of the section. Here, you will see the USB Accessories option. It is turned off by default which means you need to unlock your phone to connect any USB accessory before it starts working if your device has not been locked for one hour.
Use USB Restricted Mode in iOS
- To turn off USB Restricted mode in iPhone device, simply click on the toggle button and it will turn to green. Now, anyone can connect a USB accessory to your device without requiring a passcode or Touch ID after it has been locked for one hour. You will also see the message “Turn off to prevent USB accessories from connecting when your iPhone has been locked for more than an hour.”
Use USB Restricted Mode in iOS
- Alternatively, if you want to disable your USB port without waiting for one hour, then you need to press power button five times rapidly and select the Emergency SOS option from there.
Use USB Restricted Mode in iOS
Way Around USB Restricted Mode?
To say that USB Restricted Mode is foolproof would be wrong. once the feature was discharged in iOS 11.4.1, Elcomsoft, a cyber security firm, claimed that they’d found the simplest way to fool USB Restricted Mode.
As per the tests conducted by them, it had been ascertained that you just may reset the one hour time period during which device is barred by connecting it with different compatible accessories just like the official Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter.
This technique will work only the device has not however entered USB Restricted Mode.