Apple on Tuesday released the first beta seed of iOS 17.3, its upcoming new version of the iPhone operating system. The new beta notably includes a new feature called Stolen Device Protection for iPhone.
Earlier this year, Wall Street Journal journalists Nicole Nguyen and Joanna Stern published a report discussing how iPhone users are being locked out of their Apple ID accounts by thieves using Apple’s recovery key security option.
There have been multiple cases of thieves watching an iPhone user enter their passcode in public and then stealing the handset to gain access to the iPhone and its contents. The victims interviewed in the original report said their iPhones were stolen while they were out in public in bars and other public places.
Once a thief knows the iPhone’s passcode, they can quickly reset the victim’s Apple ID password in the Settings app. The thief can then turn off Find My iPhone on the device, which prevents the device’s owner from both tracking its location and/or remotely erasing the device.
Happily, iOS 17.3 brings a solution to this threat: Stolen Device Protection for iPhone.
How Stolen Device Protection for iPhone Works
Here’s how Apple describes the new security feature in iOS 17.3:
Testing is now available for Stolen Device Protection. This new feature adds an additional layer of security in the unlikely case that someone has stolen your phone and also obtained your passcode.
- Accessing your saved passwords requires Face ID to be sure it’s you.
- Changing sensitive settings like your Apple ID password is protected by a security delay
- No delay is required when iPhone is at familiar locations such as home and work
With the feature turned on, performing actions like using passwords or passkeys, turning off Lost Mode, erasing an iPhone, and other security-related actions on an iPhone will require biometric authentication – the passcode will not work when away from familiar locations.
For situations where someone tries to change your Apple ID password, update Apple ID security info, change a passcode or Touch ID and Face ID settings, or turn off Find My or Stolen Device protection, the one-hour security delay will activate when away from familiar locations, like home or work, requiring a second biometric authentication.
How to Enable Stolen Device Protection for iPhone
- You Must have the iOS 17.3 beta installed on your iPhone.
- Open the Settings app.
- Swipe down and tap “Face ID & Passcode” or “Touch ID & Passcode” on some models.
- Toggle on “Stolen Device Protection.”
