How to Protect Your Apple Devices When Using Public USB Chargers

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Using public USB chargers at airports or other public places can put your iPhone at risk of hacking. This security threat is called “Juice Jacking,” which happens when the charger actually belongs to someone with bad intentions. They can use it to steal data from your device, not just charge it.

Fortunately, iOS 26 has introduced a helpful feature to protect you from this danger. The best part is, it’s turned off by default, so you need to activate it before using a public USB charger. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on Privacy & Security.
3. Scroll down to find Wired Accessories.
4. Change the setting from “Always Allow” to “Ask for New Accessories.”

Why change this setting? Well, a public charger should never ask to access your data. Normally, it should only supply power to charge your device. Allowing data transfer when connected to a public charger isn’t necessary just for charging, and it can expose your phone to risks.

So, before you next need to use a public USB charger, make sure this setting is enabled. It’s a simple step to keep your information safe and prevent unauthorized access.

Thanks to Ed Hardy’s article on Cult of Mac for sharing this smart tip.