Apple iPhone users have faced increasing threats from thieves who have mastered the art of stealing passcodes, seizing iPhones, and taking control of the device. Once in control, these thieves can change passwords to banking and credit card apps, putting your finances at risk.

To combat this issue, Apple introduced the Stolen Device Protection feature to safeguard your iPhone. This feature requires identity verification through Face ID or Touch ID and adds a one-hour delay for certain changes to be made on the device. By slowing down this process, users have a better chance of realizing their phone is missing and taking action.

Tasks that require Face ID or Touch ID verification with Stolen Device Protection enabled include:

– Viewing/using passwords saved in iCloud Keychain
– Applying for a new Apple Card
– Turning off Lost Mode
– Erasing all content and settings
– And more

For more sensitive tasks that require an hour to pass before changes can be made, they include:

– Changing Apple ID password
– Updating account security settings
– Changing iPhone passcode
– And more

To enable the Stolen Device Protection feature, ensure you have iOS 17.3 installed on your iPhone. Navigate to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, use your Passcode to log in, scroll down to Stolen Device Protection, and tap the link to enable it. Once activated, this feature will be active when your iPhone is at an unfamiliar location.

In the upcoming iOS 17.4 update, users will have the option to enable Stolen Device Protection everywhere for added security. To activate this feature in iOS 17.4:

1. Install iOS 17.4 on your device.
2. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode.
3. Tap on Stolen Device Protection and toggle the feature according to your preference.

If you want early access to this feature before the official release of iOS 17.4, you can join the iOS beta program by following the provided link and signing in with your Apple ID and Password. However, keep in mind that beta releases may have unstable performance and could affect certain app functionalities.

For a smoother experience, it’s recommended to wait for the final version of iOS 17.4 to be released soon. Stay tuned for enhanced security features on your iPhone!