iPhone Security - Using Public USB Chargers - Avoid “Juice Jacking”

Your iPhone is subject to hacking when you use a public USB charger at an airport or other public facility. “Juice Jacking” can occur if the charger actually belongs to a cyber criminal. It can be used to actually obtain data from your device.

iOS 26 introduced a solution to this issue, but it’s turned off by default. I recommend you turn it on if ever you plan to charge your iPhone this way.

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > [scroll down to] Wired Accessories. Change that setting from the default “Always Allow” to “Ask for New Accessories “.

A public USB charger should never ask for this permission, as the permission authorizes data transmission, which is not required to perform electricity transmission.

Thanks to Ed Hardy’s article in Cult of Mac for making me aware of this excellent suggestion.