Apple has recently introduced a new feature called Stolen Device Protection for iPhone users. This feature aims to protect iPhone data and make it more difficult for thieves to cause harm. With the release of iOS 17.3, this feature requires a combination of Face ID or Touch ID scans and time delays before using payment features or changing account security when the device is away from familiar locations. Let’s take a closer look at how Stolen Device Protection works and how it can benefit iPhone users.
What is Stolen Device Protection for iPhone?
Stolen Device Protection is designed to prevent a bad situation, such as someone stealing your iPhone, from turning into something much worse. When activated, this feature prompts users to perform a biometric scan (Face ID or Touch ID) when they are away from familiar locations like home or work. In these situations, the feature does not allow the use of passcodes as a backup method. It also incorporates time delays for certain security-related features.
The inspiration behind this tool may have come from a Wall Street Journal report in early 2023, which highlighted the increasing practice of thieves spying on users while they enter their passcodes before snatching their phones. If a thief manages to obtain both the phone and its passcode without Stolen Device Protection activated, they could potentially reset the Apple ID password, turn off Find My, steal payment information or passwords, and even factory reset the iPhone within minutes or seconds before the user can report the device as lost.
However, with Stolen Device Protection turned on, a thief in the same situation would face significant obstacles. Requiring Face ID or Touch ID scans and time delays would prevent them from accessing passwords and payment information, changing security features, and factory resetting the device. This gives users valuable time to find another device, report their phone as lost, change their password, and file a police report if necessary.
How does it work?
Stolen Device Protection requires a biometric scan (Face ID or Touch ID) without the option of using a passcode as a backup for various situations when the phone is away from familiar locations. These situations include turning off Lost Mode, performing a factory reset, using or stealing saved passwords or passkeys for online accounts, using payment methods saved for autofill in Safari, activating a new Apple device, viewing the Apple Card’s virtual card number, and applying for a new Apple Card.
Additionally, certain actions require an extra time delay. With Stolen Device Protection activated, anyone attempting to perform these actions away from familiar locations would need to perform a Face ID or Touch ID scan, wait for an hour, and authenticate again with a second biometric scan. These actions include turning off Find My, turning off Stolen Device Protection, changing the Apple ID password, signing out of the Apple ID, adding or removing Face ID or Touch ID, changing the phone’s passcode, changing Apple ID account security, and resetting all of the phone’s settings.
It is worth noting that Apple Pay is not included in the list of actions protected by Stolen Device Protection. Therefore, someone with a stolen iPhone and passcode could still make Apple Pay purchases using only the passcode, which is not ideal.
How to turn on Stolen Device Protection?
To activate Stolen Device Protection, ensure that your device is updated to at least iOS 17.3. You can check for updates by going to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone. If your device is unable to update past pre-iOS 17 software, it means that your model is too old to run the latest software.
Once you have updated to iOS 17.3 or higher, follow these steps on your iPhone:
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap on Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode for older models and the iPhone SE).
3. Enter your passcode.
4. Scroll down until you see Stolen Device Protection.
5. Tap on Turn On Protection.
If you ever wish to deactivate the feature, simply follow the same steps but tap on Turn Off Protection in step five. The change will be confirmed with a Face ID or Touch ID scan.
For more information on the latest iPhone features, you can check out Engadget’s review of the latest models and their in-depth review of iOS 17.
In conclusion, Apple’s introduction of Stolen Device Protection for iPhone is a significant step towards enhancing the security of user data and preventing unauthorized access in case of theft. By combining biometric scans and time delays, this feature makes it much more challenging for thieves to exploit stolen iPhones and provides users with valuable time to take necessary actions. With the ability to activate and deactivate the feature easily, iPhone users can have peace of mind knowing that their personal information is better protected.
