Technology
As phone thefts become more sophisticated and common, Apple has released a new iPhone update that gives users a real chance to protect their devices.
The tech giant unveiled its stolen device protection, which creates barriers that can prevent theft or block access to already stolen phones that have been taken miles away.
Essentially, the new security feature — which was part of the iOS 17.3 update — works in a similar way to a car key by removing actions that could lead to sensitive information.
Active iPhones also rely on biometric security features like Touch or Face ID for apps linked to passwords and credit card information instead of entering a digital passcode.
Waiting up to an hour to change the Apple ID password and second attempts with Touch and Face ID are also part of the protection.
“If your iPhone is stolen, Security Delay is designed to prevent a thief from performing critical actions, so you can mark your device as lost and ensure your Apple Account is safe.” He wrote about the new featureWhich is triggered only when the phone is in a suspicious area.
“If your iPhone is in a known location, these extra steps aren’t necessary and you can use your device’s passcode as usual.”
According to Apple, known locations typically include work, home, and other places where your iPhone is used frequently.
How to enable stolen device protection
- Enable two-factor authentication in settings under “Password & Security”.
- Make sure your iPhone has a passcode and both Face ID and Touch ID and Find My features are turned on.
- Enable important locations in Location Services
- In Settings, search for “Face ID & Passcode” and enter your password
- Click to toggle “Stolen device protection”.
