Imagine being in a packed bar, casually unlocking your iPhone with your passcode, only to have a sneak thief snatch it away. That sinking feeling sets in as you come to grips with the fact that it’s gone, taking with it precious photos, crucial files, banking app passwords, and other essential aspects of your digital world.
So, Apple just dropped a new iOS update this week, and it comes with a cool feature called Stolen Device Protection. Basically, it makes life way tougher for phone thieves trying to mess with your important stuff. They’re telling users to switch it on ASAP.
The latest software update for iPhones and iPads is packing a crucial new feature aimed at throwing a wrench in the plans of phone thieves. It’s called Stolen Device Protection, and it’s now part of the iOS 17.3 release.
Hidden in your iPhone’s settings, this feature adds an extra layer of security, specifically targeting a vulnerability that sneaky thieves have been exploiting. They’ve been locking people out of their Apple accounts, wiping photos and files from iCloud, and even raiding bank accounts by snagging passwords from the Keychain password manager.
How does Stolen Device Protection work?
Apple is rolling out this feature because, as the stories go on Reddit and news articles worldwide, phone thefts seem to be on the rise. From Los Angeles to London, tactics like pickpocketing, “table surfing,” and moped snatching are becoming all too common.
So, with Stolen Device Protection, it basically keeps tabs on places you frequent, like your home or workplace. If someone tries to mess with your device outside of those spots, they’ll have to jump through extra biometric security hoops.
It’s all about minimizing the reliance on passcodes. You know, those things thieves can easily snatch by peeking or strong-arming victims. Instead, it’s putting the spotlight on “biometric” features like faces or fingerprints, which are way trickier to copy.
Picture this: the sneaky thief who grabbed your iPhone thinks they can wipe it clean and make a quick sale. Well, not so fast! Thanks to Stolen Device Protection, if that feature is flipped on, they’ll need to pass a Face ID or Touch ID scan to prove they’re the legit owner.
A second layer of defense
No other shortcuts are allowed. The new feature doesn’t give them the option to use a passcode or any other backup method. It’s all about making sure only you can unlock your device.
If your device isn’t in a familiar spot, this feature kicks in when someone tries certain actions. That includes using passwords stored in Keychain, messing with payment methods saved in Safari, turning off Lost Mode, applying for a new Apple Card, or using the iPhone to set up a new gadget.
Also, there’s a second layer of defense to slow down any potential thieves messing with crucial security settings. For example, if they attempt to sign out of an Apple ID account, change the passcode, or reset the phone in an unfamiliar location, they’ll need to authenticate using Face ID or Touch ID, wait an hour, and then go through a second facial or fingerprint scan.
Messing with things like changing an Apple ID password, tweaking security settings, adding or removing Face or Touch ID, or turning off Find My Device or Stolen Device Protection will also trigger this feature. It’s like a digital fortress!
Will Android get its own Stolen Device Protection?
As of now, there is no word on whether Android will have a similar feature in the coming days. But going by the practicality of the feature, it’s just a matter of time before we see something similar coming to Android devices soon.
However, if you misplace your Android phone, tablet, or Wear OS watch, you’ve got options to find, lock, or wipe it clean. Here’s the deal: if you link a Google Account to your device, Find My Device is good to go right off the bat. And if you give the green light for Find My Device to encrypt your phone’s last-known location and stash it with Google, that info is up for grabs to the first account that gets activated on the device. Easy peasy!
Moreover, if you want to stop others from using your device after it gets wiped, slap your Google Account on it. Easy peasy. Wanna go the extra mile? Set up a screen lock to make sure no one messes with your device or tries to wipe it. Check out how to add your Google Account and set up that screen lock on Android.