Using Find My iPhone it is possible to look up the location of your iPhone if, for example, it has been lost or stolen. It is important that the iPhone remains connected to the internet.
It is possible to directly switch off Bluetooth, WiFi and network facilities via the control panel, also from the lock screen. Not really useful if your iPhone is stolen. This way you can also control your Home and HomeKit devices, use widgets and possibly Siri commands. So you can better prevent others from changing important settings from the lock screen using the tip below.
Restrict access screen
By default, it is possible to manage all kinds of things from the lock screen of your iPhone and iPad. This gives you access to the control panel and you can easily manage your home, adjust settings and start certain things. You can also use Siri, your Wallet, Apple Pay, widgets, replies to messages, etc. from the lock screen. Handy, but it can also be abused if your iPhone or iPad is stolen. Therefore, it is better to limit the lock screen while it is locked.
Manage access when locked
- Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad
- Navigate to ‘Face ID/Touch ID & Passcode’
- Enter your access code
- Scroll down to ‘Access on lock’
- Disable the desired options
It is recommended to disable the following options: today view and search, Control Center, Siri, Lock screen widgets, Home management, Wallet, accessories. You can disable all components if necessary.
Disables only when locked
Once you disable the above options, you will no longer be able to access them from the Lock screen when it is locked. When you use Face ID, the lock screen is automatically unlocked as soon as you look at your iPhone or iPad and your face is recognized. From that moment on, you can consult the components from the lock screen.
The same is also the case for Touch ID. Activate the screen and place your finger on the fingerprint scanner to unlock the lock screen (do not press). You can then use the control panel, Wallet, etc.
It takes some getting used to, but once you get the hang of how the locked lock screen works, using it is almost the same, but safer.
Protection for stolen device
With the start of iOS 17.3, Apple introduced an extra 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.
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.
iPhone can still be turned off
Thanks to the above steps, it is possible to prevent important settings such as Bluetooth, WiFi, network and home management from being disabled or used. But unfortunately it remains possible to completely switch off the iPhone or iPad. Apple does not yet offer a way to prevent an iPhone or iPad from being turned off when it is locked. A thief can therefore switch off the iPhone to block location determination.
It is therefore advisable to enable lost mode as soon as possible once you have lost or stolen your iPhone or iPad. Via iCloud.com you have the option to log in to Find My Device and block the device. The finder or thief will then no longer be able to use the iDevice until you unlock it again.
Prevent an iPhone from being disabled? fill it feedback form from Apple to request this.