Stolen Device Protection
Once you’ve updated your iPhone to iOS 17.3, enable Stolen Device Protection. This new feature will use a combination of factors to make your iPhone more secure. For example, if you’re away from home and try to change your password, it’ll require more than just your current password to change. Instead, it’ll also require Face ID, to confirm that it’s really you. Also, changes will go into effect after a delay, requiring you re-authenticate an hour later, or once you’ve gone to a familiar location, such as your home.
This prevents thieves from being able to watch you type in your password, then changing it themselves. It locks down your iOS device so that it essentially requires multi-factor authentication to make important security changes on your device. You’ll need your password and your face, or at least be in your own home when you do it.
You’ll want to make sure your iPhone knows your home address, which you can add to your own contact card in the Contacts app. You can also add your work address, if you’re in an office frequently.
This is a fantastic feature. It’s not yet enabled by default, but you can try it out for yourself rather easily. After updating to iOS 17.3, go into the Settings app. Tap. Face ID & Passcode. Scroll down to Stolen Device Protection, and turn it on.
The iPhone was already a secure mobile device. However, as phones have become the center of our digital lives, it’s important we protect them. No one ever expects to be the victim of a crime, so it’s important to prepare in advance, to ensure your device will end up secure and possibly back in your hands, even after a theft.