Due to various anti-theft measures, the iPhone is less interesting for thieves to steal. Since iOS 17.3, Apple has further expanded this with additional protection for stolen devices. We explain how to enable this on an iPhone.
Thanks to this 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 access code of your device, he or she will still not be able to make any adjustments. This includes changing your Apple ID password or restoring your iPhone.
Additional anti-theft measures
Thanks to Find My iPhone and Lost Mode, an iPhone can hardly be used if it is stolen. However, Apple has expanded this further with 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 the owner can make the change, and not everyone who has your access code.
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’
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.
You can then only change the components below using Face ID or Touch ID not more with just an access code. You can still use your access code at known locations, such as at home.
- 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
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. In the article below you can read for which components a security delay has been added.