Apple iOS 26 brings an overlooked but powerful security feature to iPhones

Apple’s iOS 26 update has attracted plenty of attention for its new Liquid Glass design, but hidden beneath the visual overhaul is a far more practical addition. A new permission setting for wired accessories is quietly one of the most useful security upgrades Apple has rolled out in years, even if most people have not noticed it yet.

With iOS 26, every time you plug your iPhone into a wired accessory, the system asks whether you want to allow or block data transfer. Selecting “Don’t Allow” charges the phone but prevents any data flow. Choosing “Allow” gives the accessory, whether it is a charging cable, dock or another device, permission to communicate with your iPhone. If the phone is locked, iOS 26 automatically blocks all data transfer until you unlock the device and approve the request. Charging still works, but files, photos and other data remain inaccessible without explicit user consent.

This small change significantly reduces the risk of juice jacking, the practice where attackers use compromised charging stations or cables to steal data or install malware. By forcing an approval prompt, Apple has effectively added a barrier between your iPhone and any unknown accessory. Even if you plug into what looks like a safe public charging port at an airport or train station, data cannot flow without you deliberately tapping “Allow”. For many users, the default choice will be “Don’t Allow”, as it still powers the phone without risk.

Apple also provides settings to control this behaviour more precisely. You can choose from Always Ask, Ask for New Accessories, Allow Automatically When Unlocked, and Always Allow. For most people, the first two options are the safest, as they limit exposure while keeping charging hassle-free.