Apple has released iOS 17.3, which features Stolen Device Protection. The feature makes it difficult to access important iPhone settings, such as erasing data from your phone, changing your Apple ID password, and changing faces registered with Face ID, among others. In some cases, it is necessary to wait an hour to be able to make the desired change.
Stolen Device Protection became known in December 2023, when iOS 17.3 was still in beta. At the time, we called the tool “thief mode.” It’s now available to all users.
The feature is Apple’s response to a type of crime that has become commonplace in the U.S. There, thieves watch victims enter their passwords on iPhones in busy places, such as bars. Then, they steal the device, change the Apple ID password, and turn off location tracking. With access to saved passwords, they are able to log into their email and bank accounts. The new protection can prevent this “hijacking” of Apple ID.
How to turn on Stolen Device Protection
To activate thief mode, go to:
-Settings
-Face ID & Passcode
Turn on Stolen Device Protection
From that moment on, the iPhone requires some confirmations to change sensitive settings of the device, if the device is not in a known location, such as your home or work.
According to Apple, sensitive settings are divided into two groups. One of them can only be changed with biometric authentication, either Face ID or Touch ID — it’s not worth using the registered password:
-Use saved passwords or passkeys on iOS
-Use saved payment methods in Safari
-disable Lost Mode (which is activated by the user remotely)
Erase content and settings
Use your iPhone to set up a new device
Access features related to Apple Card, Apple Cash, and Savings account, available in the U.S. only
The other group has an extra protection, called security delay. In this case, every change requires a biometric confirmation (Touch ID or Face ID), a one-hour wait, and a new biometric confirmation.
In this group are:
-change your Apple ID password
-Sign out of your Apple ID
-Update your Apple ID security settings (add or remove a trusted device, recovery key, or recovery contact)
-Add or remove biometric authentication
-change iPhone passcode
-Reset all settings
-turn off Find My
-disable Stolen Device Protection itself
