What is Stolen Device Protection on iPhone, and should I turn it on?
Stolen Device Protection, added in iOS 17.3, stops a thief who knows your passcode from taking over your iPhone and Apple Account, and it's worth turning on. Away from familiar places like home or work, sensitive actions need Face ID or Touch ID, and big security changes need an hour's wait.
Normally your passcode unlocks almost everything. If someone watches you type it and then steals your phone, they could change your Apple Account password and lock you out. With this feature on, and your iPhone away from familiar locations, things like using saved passwords or cards, turning off Lost Mode and erasing the phone need your face or fingerprint, with no passcode fallback.
Bigger changes, such as your Apple Account password or your passcode, also get a Security Delay. You confirm with Face ID or Touch ID, wait an hour, then confirm again. That gives you time to mark the phone as lost. At home or work your passcode works as usual, and Apple Pay still accepts it. You can also choose to require the delay everywhere.
- Go to Settings, Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), enter your passcode, then tap Stolen Device Protection. Apple says it might already be on
- It needs two-factor authentication, Find My and Significant Locations turned on
- Turn it off before you sell, give away or trade in your iPhone
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Stolen Device Protection
From the Locks & Encryption course. Stop a thief who knows your passcode from taking over your phone and account.
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