Edward Collins 
Dec 13, 2023
Keeping alive its tradition of introducing new features with each update coming out every year, Apple is now going to add an extra layer of protection to your iPhone to prevent mischievous-minded people, or thieves from stealing your phone.
The feature is called Stolen Device Protection, and is being rolled out for users having iOS 17.3 models. This comes just one day after iOS 17.2 started rolling out to the public.
Read more: How iOS 17.2 transforms your iPhone 15 into a powerful personal device
Stolen Device Protection on iPhone
“This new feature adds an additional layer of security in the unlikely case that someone has stolen your phone and also obtained your passcode,” says Apple.
Security walls with iOS 17.3
The feature sets three additional security walls on your iPhone once activated, which are as follows:
First wall of protection
- Your iPhone will require Face ID before you or a bad actor can access the passwords saved on your device. This serves as a crucial gatekeeper because your Face ID authenticated access to a lot of services, including financial transactions linked to the Apple Wallet, and more.
- The new Stolen Device Protection system, once activated, ensures that any attempt to access Apple or external services will only be validated by your Face ID, which means a stolen passcode will be of no use to the bad actor.
Second wall of protection
- The second tier of protection in this feature is a security delay. If a bad actor has seen your phone passcode and is now trying to change the Apple ID credentials, Apple will force a security delay in the process. The exception is that the security delay protocol is waived if your phone is in a familiar geographical location, such as your home or office.
- This delay will ensure that if your phone has been stolen, you can log in with your Apple ID on another device and track its location using the Find My network. In some countries, you can even file a theft claim with Apple for an iPhone replacement.
Third wall of protection
- Third layer lets you remotely erase all the data stored on your iPhone using a family member’s device. It’s possible that your iPhone was stolen not merely for re-selling it for a profit. A bad actor can use it for digital crimes and implicate you.
- This added wall of security precaution, you can mark your device as Lost from the iCloud online dashboard. This will lock your iPhone and block unauthorised access.
