Having your phone stolen is a difficult situation to deal with when all the information on it is lost. But Apple’s latest iOS update introduces a new feature to protect users’ private information: Stolen Device Protection. This feature comes with the iOS 17.3 update and makes it harder for thieves to access iPhone phones.
How do I use Stolen Device Protection?
After installing iOS 17.3, it is expected to prompt users to enable Stolen Device Protection. But if you skipped this step, you can open the Settings app, tap Face ID & Protection, and then make sure Stolen Device Protection is turned on. This feature increases security by preventing certain modifications from being made to your stolen iPhone and limiting access to information.
After enabling Stolen Device Protection, if your iPhone detects that you are not in a certain location, it will ask for additional authentication for the user to access certain information. For example, if you want to change your Apple account password or your phone’s passcode, this feature asks you to wait an hour and then verify your identity a second time with Face ID or Touch ID. This delay provides the ability to remotely lock or wipe the stolen device.
Stolen Device Protection limits the information a thief can access on your iPhone, requiring biometric verification (Face ID or Touch ID, depending on which iPhone you have) for things like making changes to your encrypted information or Apple savings account. This prevents thieves from using your unlocked iPhone to steal your money or open an Apple credit card in your name.
Other tips to protect your iPhone
- Lengthen your password: If you use a four-digit PIN, switch to a more secure six-digit or alphanumeric password.
- Protect sensitive photos: Delete photos that contain important documents or move them to a hidden album. Make sure authentication is required wherever you store photos.
- Protect apps: Protect sensitive apps, especially banking apps, with PIN or Face ID.
- Protect saved passwords: Use a feature that requires biometric verification to view passwords or use a password manager.
- Enable the Find My app: Use the Find My app to track your iPhone and remotely disable it in case of theft.
