Apple’s iOS 17.3 beta introduces the Stolen Device Protection feature, aimed at safeguarding users against data theft if unauthorized individuals acquire their iPhone passcode. This added security layer makes it challenging for intruders to make significant alterations to your Apple ID when the iPhone is in an unfamiliar location, like away from home or work.
Apple, renowned for prioritizing user privacy, developed this feature following a report by The Wall Street Journal. The report highlighted a scam wherein attackers would engage victims, often in late-night bar settings, to extract passcodes, either by soliciting them through platforms like Snapchat or by observing over their shoulders. To learn more about enabling Stolen Device Protection on your iPhone and its functionality, continue reading.
Understanding the Working of Stolen Device Protection Mode
Prior to the implementation of Stolen Device Protection mode, anyone possessing your iPhone’s passcode could execute significant modifications. These alterations encompassed critical actions like altering your Apple ID password, generating a recovery key, disabling lost mode, transferring settings to another device, deactivating Find My, gaining access to your stored Keychain passwords, and more.
Although discovering your iPhone’s passcode is a challenging feat, situations may arise wherein a thief or attacker establishes a rapport with you, gaining access to your six-digit or four-digit passcode. Subsequently, upon stealing your iPhone, they could easily lock you out by disabling Find My and restricting access to your Apple ID.
The introduction of the Stolen Device Protection mode addresses this vulnerability. With this feature activated, your iPhone mandates Apple’s Face ID authentication alongside the passcode for executing sensitive actions. For instance, attempting to access stored passwords or wipe the phone while your iPhone is at an unfamiliar location necessitates Face ID recognition. Consequently, the thief or unauthorized user cannot access sensitive settings solely through the passcode.
Furthermore, if an attacker endeavors to alter your Apple ID password or deactivate the Face ID, your iPhone enforces a mandatory one-hour delay. Following this delay, the attacker must successfully pass a Face ID check to proceed with modifying the credentials.
Note: The Stolen Device Protection feature and the one-hour delay won't activate when your iPhone is at a recognized trusted location, such as your home or workplace. Consequently, this security measure functions exclusively when your iPhone is located in an unfamiliar environment. Presently, there isn't an option available to manually designate familiar locations within this feature. Your iPhone will autonomously identify trusted locations by analyzing your usage patterns.
Here’s a table illustrating actions requiring both passcode and Face ID recognition when the Stolen Device Protection is active, and those necessitating biometrics along with a one-hour security delay:
Turning On Stolen Device Protection on iPhone
Note: iOS 17.3 is currently in beta stage, and we'll keep you updated when the update becomes available for all users.
Once your iPhone updates to iOS 17.3, you’ll receive a prompt on the home screen to enable Stolen Device Protection. Alternatively, you can access the iPhone settings to manually activate this feature. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Access your iPhone’s Settings, then navigate to Face ID and Passcode settings.
- Scroll down to find the Stolen Device Protection option and tap “Turn On Protection” below it.
Turning Off Stolen Device Protection on iPhone
- Access your iPhone’s Settings app and proceed to the Face ID & Passcode section. Input your passcode to access the settings.
- Scroll down to find the Stolen Device Protection option. Tap “Turn Off Protection” below it. Authenticate using your Face ID.
- Next, select the blue “Start Security Delay” button.
- In the following screen, you’ll see the remaining time for the Security Delay. Tap “Done” to exit.
- You’ll receive a notification when the one-hour delay concludes, allowing you to turn off the feature.
It’s important to note that while this feature restricts a thief from accessing sensitive information or making changes, they can still unlock your iPhone and carry out most operations if they have your passcode.
However, with this iOS 17 security feature in place, it prevents the thief from locking you out of your Apple ID or disabling Find My iPhone. This means you can still track your iPhone’s location or remotely wipe it if needed.
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