iOS 11.4 Disables Lightning Connector After 7 Days

iPhones are a popular item to steal, but over the years Apple has made it increasingly difficult for thieves to resell stolen iPhones by introducing features that lock the devices and render them worthless. Of course this doesn’t mean that iPhones are no longer stolen, and because of that Apple’s work is far from done.

Their latest efforts come in iOS 11.4 in which a new feature has been discovered in the form of USB Restricted Mode. This essentially disables the Lightning connector after 7 days if the user has not logged into the phone. What does this mean? Basically should someone steal your phone or if law enforcement has confiscated it and are trying to figure out a way to get into it but have not been successful for 7 days or more, the Lightning connector will be disabled.

Ultimately this means that the phone will no longer be able to connect to computers which in turn removes the ability for information on it to be accessed. What it’s good for is only charging. This new feature was confirmed by Elcomsoft during their testing of the latest build of the iOS 11.4 beta.

According to Apple’s documentation of the feature, “To improve security, for a locked iOS device to communicate with USB accessories you must connect an accessory via Lightning connector to the device while unlocked – or enter your device passcode while connected – at least once a week.”

Tyler Lee
Categories: Apple, Cellphones
Tags: iOS, ios 11, Security, Social Hit