- Protect your iPhone when you’re away from familiar places.
- To activate: Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Verify your credentials > Turn on Protection.
- If your iPhone isn’t in a known location, you’ll need to wait an hour before making changes.
Apple has introduced a new feature, Stolen Device Protection, in iOS 17. This is a safeguard for your iPhone in case it gets stolen or lost. By turning on this feature, you can quickly locate your device using the “Find My” app. This adds an extra layer of security and enhances the safety of your iPhone.
In this article, I’ll walk you through how to activate Stolen Device Protection on your iPhone. I’ll also explain what it does, how it functions, and why it’s crucial. Let’s dive in.
What is Stolen Device Protection?
Stolen Device Protection is a security feature that kicks in when your iPhone is away from familiar places, like home or work. It helps secure your accounts and personal info if your iPhone gets stolen.
When it’s active, you’ll need Face ID, Touch ID, and your passcode is replaced with your Apple ID password. If you’re in a known place, you won’t need to confirm all your details.
What Happens When Stolen Device Protection is On?
If you activate this feature and your iPhone gets stolen, here’s what happens:
- Your Apple ID can’t be changed.
- Lost Mode can’t be deactivated.
- Passwords and passkeys stay secure.
- Payment methods are locked.
All these features will need your Face ID or Touch ID to access and unlock. Also, this only happens after a delay of one hour.
How to Turn on Stolen Device Protection on iPhone
If your iPhone is running on iOS 17 or above, you can enable this feature. Here’s how:
- Open your iPhone’s Settings app.
- Click on “Face ID & Passcode.”
- Confirm your credentials.
- Click on “Turn on Protection” under Stolen Device Protection.
How Does It Work?
When you activate Stolen Device Protection, here’s what you’ll see:
Face ID or Touch ID Authentication:
If your iPhone isn’t in your familiar place, you’ll need to use Face ID or Touch ID before you can do certain things, like:
- Use passwords or passkeys saved in Keychain
- Use payment methods saved in Safari (autofill)
- Turn off Lost Mode
- Erase all content and settings
- Apply for a new Apple Card
- View your Apple Card or Apple Cash virtual card number
- Take certain Apple Cash and Savings actions in Wallet (for example, Apple Cash or Savings transfers)
- Use your iPhone to set up a new device (for example, Quick Start)
Note: Use your iPhone passcode for Apple Pay purchases.
Security Delay:
You might also have to wait an hour before you can change important security settings or your Apple ID on your iPhone. If your iPhone isn’t in a place it recognizes, you’ll need to use Face ID or Touch ID, wait for the security delay to end, and then use Face ID or Touch ID again to change settings like:
- Change your Apple ID password
- Sign out of your Apple ID
- Update Apple ID account security settings (such as adding or removing a trusted device, Recovery Key, or Recovery Contact)
- Add or remove Face ID or Touch ID
- Change your iPhone passcode
- Reset All Settings
- Deactivate Find My
- Deactivate Stolen Device Protection
That’s it! I strongly recommend enabling this feature. It’s a great way to protect your phone from theft. Also. Your device may end the security delay early after it detects that you’ve arrived at a familiar location.