iOS 17.3 brings forth a fresh security addition for iPhones, safeguarding sensitive data if assailants acquire the passcode. The novel feature, Stolen Device Protection, utilizes the device’s location to discern if the iPhone is in a recognized or unknown area. When in an unfamiliar location, the mode mandates FaceID for sensitive actions, alongside the passcode, such as verifying or altering passwords.
In iOS 17.3, Apple introduced Stolen Device Protection, a feature guarding against data theft if intruders discover your iPhone passcode. Essentially, this feature adds an extra security layer, making it challenging for thieves to employ the passcode for significant Apple ID alterations when the iPhone is in an unfamiliar location, outside of places like home or work.
Despite Apple’s consistent leadership in user privacy, the genesis of this new feature stems from a Wall Street Journal report exposing a scam. In this scam, attackers, often in bars late at night, meet or track victims, soliciting passcodes by requesting connections over Snapchat or observing them.
Continue reading to discover the steps for activating Stolen Device Protection on your iPhone and gain insights into its functionality.
How Apple’s Stolen Device Protection Mode Works?
Before the introduction of the Stolen Device Protection mode, anyone possessing your iPhone’s passcode could execute substantial modifications. This included altering your Apple ID password, generating a recovery key, deactivating lost mode, migrating settings to a different device, deactivating Find My, reaching your stored Keychain passwords, and more.
While uncovering your iPhone’s passcode is challenging, there might be a scenario where a thief or attacker befriends you to learn your six or four-digit passcode. Subsequently, they can effortlessly seize your iPhone, disable Find My, and lock you out of the Apple ID.
This is precisely where the recently introduced Stolen Device Protection mode proves invaluable. Once activated, your iPhone will consistently demand Apple’s Face ID recognition, supplementing the passcode. This additional layer of security is vital when attempting sensitive actions, like accessing stored passwords or wiping the phone in an unfamiliar location. Consequently, it renders it impossible for a thief, or even the user, to execute sensitive changes or access sensitive settings solely with a passcode.
Moreover, if an attacker attempts to alter your Apple ID password or deactivate Face ID, your iPhone will impose a compulsory one-hour delay. The attacker must successfully undergo a Face ID check after the one-hour waiting period to modify the credentials.
Note:
The Stolen Device Protection functionality and the one-hour delay won’t activate if your iPhone is at a trusted location, such as your home or workplace. Consequently, the feature exclusively operates when your iPhone is in an unfamiliar setting. Currently, there isn’t an option to manually designate trusted locations for this feature. Your iPhone autonomously identifies trusted locations based on your usage patterns.
Presented below is a table outlining tasks requiring both passcode and Face ID verification with Stolen Device Protection activated, along with activities necessitating biometrics and a one-hour security delay:
No Security Delay | Security Delay |
---|---|
Access iCloud Keychain passwords | Change your Apple ID password |
Apply for a new Apple Card | Enable recovery key |
Erase all content and settings | Change trusted phone number or contact |
Turn off Lost Mode | Add Face ID or Touch ID |
Sending people money with Apple Cash | Remove Face ID or Touch ID |
Use your iPhone to set up a new device | Disable Find My |
Use payment methods saved in Safari | Turn off Stolen Device Protection |
How to Enable Stolen Device Protection on iPhone?
Upon updating to iOS 17.3, your iPhone will encourage you to enable Stolen Device Protection on the home screen. However, you can also manually activate this feature by following these steps:
- Navigate to the Settings on your iPhone.
- Access the Face ID and Passcode settings.
- Scroll down to find Stolen Device Protection and tap the Turn On Protection button beneath it.
How to Turn Off Stolen Device Protection on iPhone?
- Navigate to the Settings app on your iPhone, go to the Face ID & Passcode segment, and input the passcode to enter the settings.
- Scroll down to find Stolen Device Protection. Then, tap the Turn off Protection button beneath it. Confirm with your Face ID.
- Subsequently, select the blue Initiate Security Delay button.
- On the following screen, observe the Time Remaining for the Security Delay to conclude, and tap Done to exit.
- You’ll receive a notification when the one-hour delay concludes, enabling you to deactivate the feature.
Always bear in mind that this recent feature only hinders a thief from accessing or altering sensitive information; if they know the passcode, they can still unlock your iPhone and execute most operations.
Nevertheless, as this iOS 17 security feature prevents the thief from locking you out of your Apple ID or deactivating Find My, you can effortlessly locate your iPhone or remotely wipe it.