What is ‘Apple Stolen Device’ Protection mode, and how to enable it

Apple Stolen Device feature coming in iOS 17.3

Losing my iPhone three years ago was a nightmare, especially with no help from Indian authorities despite providing precise coordinates and potential suspect details. The real concern was the sensitive data on my device that could have wreaked havoc in the wrong hands. If you’ve been through a similar situation, Apple’s latest security feature is a game-changer. The ‘Apple Stolen Device’ protection mode is an upcoming security feature designed to safeguard your sensitive data from a potential thief who manages to crack your iPhone passcode.

“As threats to user devices continue to evolve, we work tirelessly to develop powerful new protections for our users and their data. iPhone data encryption has long led the industry, and a thief can’t access data on a stolen iPhone without knowing the user’s passcode. In the rare cases where a thief can observe the user entering the passcode and then steal the device, Stolen Device Protection adds a sophisticated new layer of protection,” explained an Apple spokesperson.

How Does ‘Apple Stolen Device’ Protection Mode Work?

Should your iPhone find itself in an unfamiliar location, you’ll now require both your passcode and Face ID for critical actions like changing your Apple ID or resetting the phone.

In simple words, it’s an additional layer of security to keep your device safeguarded. Additionally, if anyone attempts to tamper with your Face ID, there’s a one-hour delay before they can make any changes.

For users eager to enhance their iPhone security, the recently introduced Stolen Device Mode is now accessible. To activate this feature, ensure your iPhone is running the beta version of iOS 17.3. Follow these simple steps:

1. Open the Settings on your iPhone.
2. Navigate to the Passcode settings.
3. Locate and enable the Stolen Device Mode.

If the option isn’t immediately visible, fear not. The same feature will soon extend to all eligible iPhones in the coming days. Keep in mind; that this is an opt-in feature, requiring users to take the proactive step of manually enabling it to fortify the security of their iPhones.

Thank you, Apple!

Tecktrackr Editorial