Allow USB and other accessories to connect to your iPhone or iPad
Connect accessories by unlocking your device, or learn how to adjust this security setting.
Unlock your device
To connect to an accessory or computer — like USB or Thunderbolt devices, Smart Connector accessories for iPad, or a Mac or PC — you need to first unlock your iPhone or iPad. After you unlock your device, your accessory remains connected, even if your device is locked again.
If you don't unlock your device, it won't communicate with the accessory and it might not charge. However, your device will charge as usual when connected to a USB power adapter, even if you don't unlock it.
If the accessory is still not recognized after you unlock your device: Disconnect it from your device, unlock your device, then reconnect the accessory.
Adjust the setting for allowing accessories to connect
Open the Settings app, then tap Privacy & Security
Scroll down to Security, then tap Wired Accessories.
Choose your setting:
Always Ask: Manually approve every accessory, every time.
Ask for New Accessories: Manually approve new accessories the first time they connect.
Automatically Allow When Unlocked: Automatically approve accessories when they connect to your unlocked iPhone or iPad (default setting).
Always Allow: Automatically approve all accessories when they connect.
If you're connecting to a storage accessory, you'll always need to unlock your iPhone or iPad before using it.
Administrators can control the Accessories setting on supervised devices using Apple Configurator or mobile device management.
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