Due to various anti-theft measures, the iPhone is less interesting for thieves to steal. Thanks to Find My iPhone and Lost Mode, an iPhone can hardly be used if it is stolen. Since iOS 17.3, this has been further expanded with additional protection for stolen devices (Stolen Device Protection).
Thanks to this new feature, you can ensure that you can only change or use important data with Face ID or Touch ID instead of a passcode. If a thief knows the passcode of your device, he or she will still not be able to make any adjustments, such as changing your Apple ID password or restoring your iPhone.
Protection for stolen device
With the start of iOS 17.3, Apple is introducing a new measure to make the theft of your iPhone less attractive. With Stolen Device Protection, Apple wants to reduce theft of their devices by making it as difficult as possible for the thief.
When you turn on Stolen Device Protection, certain items on your device can only be changed using Face ID or Touch ID, not just your passcode. This ensures that only you can make the change, and not everyone who has your access code.
Stolen Device Protection Terms
To use Stolen Device Protection, you must have iOS 17.3 or later installed on your iPhone. In addition, an access code must be set and you must use Face ID or Touch ID. It is not yet known whether there are other requirements, such as two-factor authentication for Apple ID. For now, you can’t enable Stolen Device Protection remotely, for example via the iCloud website.
Enable stolen device protection
- Open Settings on your iPhone
- Go to ‘Face ID & Passcode’ or ‘Touch ID & Passcode’
- Enter your access code
- Go to ‘Stolen device protection’
- Tap ‘Turn on protection’
Extra protection in the event of theft
Once you activate the option, your iPhone will receive extra protection when it is away from known locations such as your home or work location. This makes it more difficult for a thief to change data. With the feature, Apple adds an extra layer of security, making Face ID or Touch ID mandatory.
Normally you can always enter your access code if your face or fingerprint is not recognized. Once you activate ‘Stolen Device Protection’ this is no longer possible and you can only change it when your face or fingerprint is recognized. You can then only change the components below using Face ID or Touch ID not more with just an access code.
- View personal information
- Use iCloud Keychain for credentials, passwords, and PassKeys
- View and edit passwords
- Disable Lost Mode
- Erase all content and settings
- Use or change Apple Pay
- View and use Apple Card, Apple Cash, and Apple Savings account (US only)
Security delay
Not only is Face ID or Touch ID mandatory in some cases, the function also introduces a security delay of 60 minutes when adjusting certain components when the iPhone is not at home or at work. This ensures that settings cannot simply be adjusted outside the home. Before you can do this, you must first wait and then confirm your identity. The security delay is applied to the following components:
- Disable Find My iPhone or Lost Mode
- Disable ‘Stolen Device Protection’
- Change your iPhone passcode
- Change Apple ID password
- Adjust Apple ID security settings
When you are at home or at work, you can change the above items directly using Face ID or Touch ID. If you are at another location, you will have to wait 60 minutes before you can make the adjustments. Disabling Stolen Device Protection always requires an hour wait.
Since iOS 17.4 you can choose to always Use Face ID or Touch ID and apply the security delay at all locations, including at home. Go to Settings â–¸ Face ID/Touch ID & Passcode â–¸ Stolen Device Protection â–¸ select ‘Always’ for security delay required.
Other anti-theft measures iPhone
In addition to Stolen Device Protection, Apple has taken several measures to make your iPhone less attractive to thieves. This includes Find My iPhone, Activation Lock that requires your Apple ID password when restoring, and enabling Lost Mode.