Most people have used the Find My function on their iPhone to allow it to be located if it is lost or stolen. Apple now has new ways to protect your iPhone from theft.
Stolen Device Protection is a new setting. Read on to find out what it does, and how to turn it on.
Enabling this feature will change a few important settings that you will need to understand before deciding to use it.
How to protect your iPhone?
Your iPhone is protected by a passcode and the Find My Location services. So, if your phone is lost or stolen, the person who has it must know your passcode to get into it. You can also locate it by using the Find My app.
Recent models of iPhones also allow either fingerprint or face scans to bypass the passcode under certain circumstances.
But, what if your phone is stolen by someone who knows or can guess your passcode? Right now, the thief has free reign over your phone and your information on the phone.
Stolen Device Protection
Apple has now added a setting called Stolen Device Protection. Turning on stolen device protection adds extra protection.
If the phone is taken somewhere other than places you frequent like your home and work, the new security features will be triggered.
One of these new security features requires the use of fingerprint or face ID instead of the passcode for things like Apple Pay or viewing stored passwords. This ensures that YOU are the person using this feature and not just someone who knows your passcode.
The other main security feature will kick in if you try to change your Apple ID password. This feature requires a one hour delay from initiating the action to allowing it, and then requires that you use face ID or fingerprint to confirm your identity.
All affected functions
This is a list of the phone functions affected by the stronger security.
- Use of passwords/passkeys saved in Keychain
- Use of saved payment methods
- The ability to turn off Lost Mode
- The ability to Erase all content and settings
- Applying for a new Apple Card
- Viewing your Apple Card or Apple Cash
- Certain functions of Apple Cash
- Using quick start to transfer data to a new device
This is a list of all of the phone functions that will be subject to the time delay:
- Changing your Apple ID password
- Signing out of your Apple ID
- Updating your Apple ID account security settings
- Adding or removing Face ID or Touch ID
- Changing your iPhone passcode
- Resetting All Settings
- Turning off Find My
- Turning off Stolen Device Protection
Time delay ends if you move the phone to a location that it remembers. Then you use Face ID, fingerprint to verify your identity.
How to Activate it
To activate this setting you will need to first enter the settings app.
Next you will need to go to Face ID & Passcode then type in your passcode.
Scroll down and locate Stolen Device protection. Toggle to turn on or off.
Practical Use
It’s important to remember that if these features are enabled, you may not be able to come to us for help changing your Apple ID password or other security issues.
These security measures are designed to work to protect people who know how to maintain security of their accounts and devices, by adding extra layers of protection.
If you are a person who forgets your account information often, or who needs to reset their passwords periodically in order to access more sensitive information, these features could make recovering your account information more difficult. These features could also cause trouble for people who are in an unfamiliar place, and your familiar places are not accessible to you.
For more information on these features, or to ask questions, check out Apple’s Support Page or call us for help.
If you have questions about stolen device protection for iPhone or our services, just call or email. We’re happy to assist you! Feel free to use our contact form to send us a message. Thank you!