Ios 11.4 disables the lightning connector after 7 days

The upcoming iOS 11.4 update, which is currently still in beta testing, includes a USB restricted mode with a one-week expiration date that limits access to the Lightning connector on iOS devices that have not been unlocked during said period of time.

A countdown to Lightning

The new feature was confirmed by Elcomsoft after having carried out the relevant tests after activating this "USB restricted mode". According to the company's experience, after an iPhone or iPad has been updated to iOS 11.4, if it has not been unlocked or connected to a computer with which it was already linked in the last seven days using an access code, the Lightning port becomes unusable, preventing access to data and limiting its function only to its loading.

“At this point, it is still unclear if the USB port is locked if the device has not been unlocked with a password for 7 consecutive days; if the device has not been unlocked at all (password or biometric data); or if the device has not been unlocked or connected to a trusted USB device or computer.

In our test, we were able to confirm the USB lock after the device has been idle for 7 days. During this period, we have not attempted to unlock the device with Touch ID or connect it to a paired USB device. What we do know, however, is that after 7 days, the Lightning port only serves for charging. ” (Elcomsoft)

There is no doubt that with this new feature implemented, the security and privacy of iOS users is further strengthened, in such a way that access has become more difficult not only in case of malicious access attempts, but even when it exists. a court order that legally protects such access. Thus, tools such as GrayKey, which uses the Lightning port to install software that allows the password of an iOS device to be decrypted, will soon have it more complicated, although not impossible, since “it severely limits the amount of time that the officials in charge of enforcing they have the law to enter a device ”.