iPhone users urged to immediately add Stolen Device Protection to keep bank details and photos safe

LONDON (AP) – You’re in a crowded bar when a thief sees you unlock your iPhone together with your passcode and then swipes it. That sinking feeling comes once you know it’s gone, along together with your priceless photos, vital files, banking app passwords, and other vital parts of your digital life.

Apple introduced update your iOS operating system this week for a feature called Stolen Device Protection, which makes it rather more difficult for phone thieves to access key features and settings. Users are requested to enable this feature immediately.

Here’s how to activate the brand new security option and why it is so vital:

Should I activate device theft protection?

The software update for iPhones and iPads includes a significant recent feature designed to prevent thieves from wiping phones for resale or gaining access to Apple IDs or other vital accounts. Stolen Device Protection is a brand new setting available in the newest version of iOS 17.3.

Apple says this can be a feature, hidden in your iPhone’s settings, adds an additional layer of security for users. Eliminates a vulnerability discovered and exploited by thieves: allows victims to be locked out of Apple accounts, delete photos and other files from iCloud accounts, and empty bank accounts by accessing passwords stored within the Keychain password manager.

Apple is introducing this feature because anecdotal evidence shows that phone thefts are on the rise. Stories of stolen phones abound in Reddit groups and in news articles from Los Angeles to London, where police say pickpocketing, “table surfing” and moped thefts are common tactics.

Last yr, the Wall Street Journal reported how criminals were watching people steal phones through the use of passcodes to access their personal information.

How does stolen device protection work?

Stolen device protection it tracks a user’s “known locations,” corresponding to their home or workplace, and adds extra biometric security that may be jumped through if someone tries to use the device to perform certain actions while it’s away from those places.

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It also deemphasizes passwords, which thieves can steal by looking over someone’s shoulder or threatening victims into handing over, in favor of “biometric” features corresponding to faces or fingerprints, that are much harder to copy.

Let’s say a bar thief who stole your iPhone tries to erase its contents and settings so as to sell it. When you switch on Stolen Device Protection, your phone will now require a Face ID or Touch ID scan to confirm that the person is the rightful owner.

And that is the only way – the brand new feature doesn’t let anyone use your password or every other backup method.

Other actions that can trigger this feature if it isn’t in a known location include using passwords saved in your Keychain or payment methods saved in Safari, turning off Lost Mode, applying for a brand new Apple Card, or using iPhone to arrange recent device.

There can also be a second layer designed to decelerate thieves trying to access critical security settings. For example, if someone tries to sign out of their Apple ID, change their password, or reset their phone while it’s in an unknown location, they’ll have to authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID, wait an hour, and then take a second face or fingerprint scan. .

Changing your Apple ID password, updating your Apple ID security settings, adding or removing Face ID or Touch ID, and turning off Find My Device or Device Theft Protection may even enable this feature.

“The security delay is designed to prevent a thief from performing critical operations so you can mark your device as lost and ensure your Apple account is safe,” the corporate said. “Once your iPhone is in a known location, these additional steps will not be required and you will be able to use your device passcode as normal.”

How to activate device theft protection?

It’s easy – if you happen to know where to look.

First, download and update your iPhone or iPad with the newest iOS update. Then go to settings, scroll down to “Face ID & password” or “Touch ID & password” and enter your password. Scroll down and you will note the Stolen device protection option.

Depending in your iPhone model, you will have to tap or toggle to turn this feature on or off. Make sure you have activated two-factor authentication and Find My Device in your Apple ID first, otherwise it won’t be visible.

What devices does this apply to?

iPhone XS and later models, including second- and third-generation SE models.