It’s named Device Protection against Theft.
Enhanced iPhone Security
A thief stealing your iPhone is bad, but it gets worse when they access your stolen iPhone’s contents, including logged-in accounts, photos, and credit card information – sensitive data that a criminal could exploit.
Apple plans to make it harder for thieves with a new security feature in the upcoming iOS 17.3 update.
How Does Stolen Device Protection Operate?
Stolen Device Protection, an optional security setting by Apple, requires users to use Face ID or Touch ID for changing passwords or certain actions on an iPhone. It activates when specific iPhone settings are accessed outside familiar locations, such as a user’s home or workplace.
If Face ID fails, the iPhone usually prompts for the user’s numeric passcode. Criminals might easily discover this password, possibly by monitoring their target before grabbing the device. With this passcode, thieves gain complete access to the iPhone, enabling them to modify user information, erase the iPhone, and sell it to an unsuspecting consumer.
Stolen Device Protection doesn’t prevent a thief from getting into your stolen iPhone. They can still unlock it by failing the Face ID scan and entering the passcode. However, as per the Wall Street Journal’s summary, there are specific settings that a thief won’t be able to access.
Stolen Device Protection: Mandatory Face ID/Touch ID for Apple ID Security
Stolen Device Protection prevents a thief from changing a user’s Apple ID password by merely unlocking the device. Instead, Face ID or Touch ID is mandatory, with no option to bypass. Additionally, a user must wait an extra hour and go through Face ID or Touch ID again before the device allows an Apple ID change. The same process is required for the thief to modify other settings, such as adding or removing Face ID or Touch ID, and disabling features like Find My Phone and Stolen Device Protection.
Stolen Device Protection will secure additional features if the device is stolen, without the need for an hour-long wait. For instance, Face ID or Touch ID will still be necessary to wipe all content from the iPhone, set up a new iPhone with the device, or apply for a new Apple Card.
This new security feature won’t block everything on your iPhone from a thief. For better security, use a strong six-digit passcode, harder to crack than the four-digit option. Stolen Device Protection offers some backup in a worst-case scenario.
Remember, when iOS 17.3 is released, users must manually enable the feature in the Settings menu under the Face ID & Passcode option.
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