{"id":11497,"date":"2018-06-07T12:37:33","date_gmt":"2018-06-07T19:37:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:drivesaversdatarecovery.com\/\/?p=11497"},"modified":"2026-03-05T05:33:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T13:33:18","slug":"data-recovery-will-still-be-available-with-ios-12-usb-restricted-mode","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drivesaversdatarecovery.com\/pl-pl\/blog\/data-recovery-will-still-be-available-with-ios-12-usb-restricted-mode\/","title":{"rendered":"Data Recovery Will Still be Available with iOS 12 USB Restricted Mode"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Jim Alcott, Data Recovery\/Forensic Engineer<\/em><\/p>\n

On Monday at the Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple unveiled details of their upcoming iOS 12 operating system for iPhone and iPad smart devices, including one particular feature intended to improve personal data privacy and security.<\/p>\n

What is USB Restricted Mode?<\/h2>\n

Currently, the USB lightning port can be used to not only charge an iPhone or iPad, but also access the data on that phone. This is the feature that allows you to back up your iPhone or upload photos from your iPad to your computer.
\nA form of the new \u201cUSB Restricted Mode\u201d first appeared in a beta version of iOS 11.3 and then again in the beta version of iOS 11.4. With this feature turned on, any type of communication with an iOS device via connection to the lightning port was disabled if the iPhone had not been used or logged into for 7 days or longer.
\nSo far, this feature has not made it past beta testing.
\nThe news from Monday is that Apple is choosing to dramatically reduce the time between logins from 7 days to only one hour.
\nHow does this feature improve data privacy? Currently, there are tools available that use the lightning port to access iPhones against the will of the smartphone\u2019s owner. This type of hack is generally used by law enforcement to gain access to digital evidence, but may also be used by criminals who have the right tools and choose to use them for data theft and other illegal or harmful activities.
\nHacking into an iOS device via the lightning port requires special hardware that costs tens of thousands of dollars and typically is not an item carried around on someone\u2019s person. The shortened period of time before USB Restricted Mode goes into effect prevents the opportunity to take a confiscated or stolen iPhone to that hardware, thereby preventing this type of unauthorized access to the smartphone or tablet.
\nThere is some ambiguity as to whether this feature may affect charging capabilities. Apple has stated that \u201cApple USB power adaptors\u201d will still work to charge iPhones and iPads that are in USB restricted mode, but it is unclear whether charging will still work when using off-brand charge cords, battery backup blocks or computers.<\/p>\n

Will USB Restricted Mode Affect Data Recovery?<\/h2>\n

If USB Restricted Mode makes it through beta testing and into the hands of consumers, it will not have any impact on current data recovery capabilities for iOS devices at DriveSavers.
\nAs long as the customer is able to provide a passcode for the smartphone or tablet, the new privacy protocol will not affect our ability to bypass physical damage caused by water (fresh, salt or toilet), power surge, fire, drop or any other physical damage that may be caused to an iPhone or iPad.
\nIf an iPhone or iPad is damaged in any way by any means, DriveSavers will still be able to perform data recovery, USB Restricted Mode or not.<\/p>\n

Why Wouldn\u2019t You Use USB Restricted Mode?<\/h2>\n

Most people will probably want to use the new USB Restricted Mode, which will be enabled on their iPhones and iPads by default. This technology does help protect data privacy, which DriveSavers strongly advocates. Still, there are some instances in which you may want to consider foregoing the additional security:<\/p>\n