Due largely to the much higher resale value, iPhones never seem to lose their charm. While onlookers can’t help taking a peek at the iconic logo and the famed design, thieves never miss any chance to steal your iPhone – by hook or by crook. Of course, you can activate the alphanumeric passcode and also enable the “Activation Lock” to safeguard your iPhone. But what if someone has managed to hack your device passcode, won’t your sensitive settings come under huge threat? Yes, they will!
In order to enhance theft protection, Apple has introduced a new security feature called “Stolen Device Protection”. Read on to learn how to enable and use “Stolen Device Protection” on your iPhone so that it gets an extra layer of shield – sooner rather than later…
Enable and Use “Stolen Device Protection” on iPhone
For better clarity, let’s discuss all the pivotal points in detail!
What is Stolen Device Protection and How Does It Work?
As the term itself implies, “Stolen Device Protection” intends to protect your device’ sensitive settings even when it has fallen prey to thieves. When your iPhone goes away from familiar locations such as your home and office, accessing certain data requires authentication through Face ID or Touch ID depending on your iPhone model.
To further amp up this security shield, Apple also imposes a good one-hour delay to prevent quick changes to the security settings of your iOS device. Due to a lack of passcode backup, you or for that matter anyone else won’t be able to use a passcode to bypass Face ID/Touch ID.
Which Features are Locked By Face ID or Touch ID with Stolen Device Protection Enabled?
If you are wondering which security features are blocked by the biometric authentication when the “Stolen Device Protection” is in action, take a look at the bullet points below:
- Erasing all content and settings
- Disabling Lost Mode
- Viewing passkeys saved in iCloud Keychain
- Using iCloud Keychain passwords
- Applying for a new Apple Card
- Viewing an Apple Card virtual card
- Using the saved payment methods in Apple Safari
- Setting up a new device using your iPhone
- Taking Apple Cash
- Saving actions in Apple Wallet
As stated above, since these above-listed actions are locked with Face ID/Touch ID, thieves can’t use the passcode to circumvent the biometric authentication.
Which Actions Come Under 1-Hour Delay When the Stolen Device Protection is Activated?
Now, it’s time to list out all the actions that require a one-hour delay when the Stolen Device Protection has been turned on.
- Disabling Stolen Device Protection (Of course, it truly makes sense, doesn’t it?)
- Disabling Find My
- Changing your iPhone passcode
- Changing your Apple ID passcode
- Adding/removing Touch ID/Face ID
- Adding/removing a trusted device
- Adding/removing a trusted phone number
- Adding/removing a Recovery Key
- Adding/removing a Recovery contact
What are the Requirements for Using the “Stolen Device Protection”?
Keep in mind that activating the “Stolen Device Protection” requires iOS 17.3 or later. Therefore, head into the Settings app -> General -> Software Update -> check for the latest update and install it beforehand, if you haven’t done it already. Talking about device compatibility, you need an iPhone XS/XR or later.
How to Enable “Stolen Device Protection” on iPhone
On your iPhone running iOS 17.3 or later, navigate to the Settings app.
- In the Settings menu, scroll down and choose Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode as per your device model.
- Enter your device passcode in the prompt to proceed.
- Finally, scroll down to the “Stolen Device Protection” section and tap on “Turn On Protection” to activate it.
Going forward, Face ID/Touch ID will become mandatory to access Lost Mode, iCloud Keychain passwords, and the options to make purchases in Safari or erase the iPhone.
Permanently Disable Stolen Device Protection on Your iOS device
If you ever wish to get rid of this security shield for any personal reason, you can turn it off without any hassle either.
- Go to the Settings app on your iPhone -> Face ID & Passcode/Touch ID & Passcode -> tap on Turn Off Protection and you are good to go!
