iOS 17.3 to launch next week with Stolen Phone Protection feature

iOS 17.3 also accompanies a collaborative music playlist that resembles that of Spotify

Edward Collins - Jan 19, 2024

An undated image displaying iOS 16 UI. — Unsplash

Tech giant Apple's has announced to release the latest iOS update iOS 17.3 next week alongside an exclusive feature to keep your account secure in case your iPhone gets stolen.

The most touted and the remarkable is referred to as Stole Device Protection.

The announcement was made during a press release Apple held to disclose its 2024 Black Unity Collection ahead of Black history month, PCMag reported.

During the conference, Apple also showcased its new Unity Bloom iPhone and iPad wallpapers that are also included in the upcoming latest iOS 17.3.

According to Joanna Stern's report published in The Wall Street Journal, thieves have started watching people enter their passcodes, especially in bars when the owners are intoxicated, following which they steal the phones, quickly change Apple ID passwords, and stir chaos by accessing banking apps to steal money.

How to enable Stolen Phone Protection on iPhone

The new feature to prevent unauthorised access of your iPhone can be enabled only on iOS 17.3.

Head to the settings.
Now go to the Face ID & Passcode tab.
From here you can see and enable the feature called Stolen Device Protection.

Users can utilise the feature to activate biometric login (Face ID or Touch ID) for tasks such as applying for a new Apple Card, erasing the phone, or accessing iCloud Keychain, which is Apple's password manager.

When it comes to changing your Apple ID password, a biometric login and a one-hour waiting period are both necessary. Even if scammers somehow bypass Touch ID or Face ID, the one-hour delay could provide enough time to remotely secure the phone.

The iOS 17.3 also accompanies a collaborative music playlist that resembles the one offered on Spotify, This will allow users and their friends and family to organise, add, or remove songs.

Similarly, the Unity Bloom wallpaper offers red, green, and yellow flowers that bloom. Apple says the design is "inspired by the resilience and beauty of the Black community.