Apple's Anti-Theft Security Slows Down iPhone Crooks

Apple pushed out a security update for iPhone this week featuring a new Stolen Device Protection for iPhone feature. Stolen Device Protection restricts the user's ability to make critical changes to device settings when the device is not in a familiar location such as the user's home.

"When your iPhone is in a familiar location, these additional steps are not required, and you can use your device passcode like usual," Apple said in a statement announcing the new security feature. "Familiar locations typically include your home, work, and certain other locations where you regularly use your iPhone."

The feature is part of the iOS 17.3 update and designed to stop criminals who have the device's passcode from causing too much damage. Slowing down thieves' ability to make critical changes to stolen devices buys victims valuable time to secure their Apple accounts and mark their devices as lost or stolen, according to Apple.

Stolen Device Protection for iPhone is available under Settings > Face ID & Passcode. After entering the device passcode, the screen will display the option to turn Stolen Device Protection on or off. To set up the new protections, the Apple ID must have two-factor authentication enabled. The feature should be turned off before selling, trading, or giving away the iPhone.

If the device is in an unfamiliar location and Stolen Device Protection is enabled, it will be necessary to authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID before taking any of the following actions, according to Apple:

Users may also be required to wait an hour to make security tweaks or changes to the Apple ID, Apple explained.