The "Wired Accessories" setting on my iPhone (14 Pro, iOS 18) is simply not there

I have seen widespread advice that we should turn on protection against USB connection hacking by turning on the "Ask" function that warns us when anything plugged into the USB port on our iPhone tries to access data. Makes sense to me.


So I followed the instructions at Apple and elsewhere to go to Settings::Privacy and Security::Wired Accessories (down at the bottom of the screen). Except, that setting is completely not there. It's not dimmed out. It's not marked "managed by organization" or anything similar. It simply isn't there. I tried switching to Lockdown mode and back, as some threads have recommended, and it was still not there. What gives?


The only thing I can think of, which seems remote, is that Verizon provided me an app called Lookout that claims to provide device security, but deleting this app has made no difference. So I'm stumped: how to use a setting that DOES NOT APPEAR???



[Edited by Moderator]

iPhone 16 Pro, iOS 18

Posted on Oct 12, 2025 9:46 AM

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5 replies

Oct 15, 2025 6:53 AM in response to PQuincy

I just did some research on this and some have reported that resetting all settings fixed the issue for them. It will require that you go through all your settings and reconfigure them again, but it may bring this setting back. As an FYI, I am on iOS 26 and in Settings > Privacy & Security, the setting for wired accessories is present on my iPhone.


If you want to Reset All Settings open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings

Oct 12, 2025 9:51 AM in response to PQuincy

Hi, there are multiple community members reporting this. You may want to reach out to Apple Support so they are aware of the issue.


This is not Apple Support. Apple and Apple Support do not participate here. Everyone posting and commenting are fellow Apple users, just like you. 


Please provide your feedback directly to Apple using the link I shared below.


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The "Wired Accessories" setting on my iPhone (14 Pro, iOS 18) is simply not there

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