Apple is preparing to introduce a new iPhone feature called Stolen Device Protection, which limits what thieves can do with a stolen phone and passcode. This feature was added to the iOS 17.3 beta with an optional opt-in option and is now available to developers. The feature uses a combination of location, biometric scans and time delays to help prevent a thief from gaining access to the device and protect data.
Stolen Device Protection aims to counter the common practice of iPhone thieves who track passwords users enter into the device before purse-snatching thefts in public places. In such theft cases, the thief can reset the device owner’s Apple ID password, turn off Find My Device, add a recovery key, and factory reset the phone for resale before the victim can do anything.
When Stolen Device Protection is not turned on, an iPhone thief who knows your passcode can change your Apple ID password and lock you out of your device. This allows the thief to turn off Find My Device, which is crucial so they can sell the device to a new user. The thief can then sell the device for the value of a regular used phone, rather than trying to pass on an iCloud locked device for dirt cheap.
However, turning on this feature allows the phone to request Face ID or Touch ID scanning if the user is away from a familiar place such as home or work. It also requires a one-hour delay before changing the Apple ID password on the device. After an hour has passed, the iPhone is again prompted to scan Face ID or Touch ID before changing the Apple ID password. This makes it very difficult for the thief to perform the desired resets and gives the device owner time to report the iPhone as stolen.
Similarly, passwords from iCloud Keychain, Apple’s built-in password manager, are starting to require Face ID or Touch ID scanning. Unable to use password as a backup for failed biometric scans when Stolen Device Protection is on.
As we mentioned above, this feature appeared for the first time in the iOS 17.3 beta version and is expected to come to all iPhones when the stable version is released.
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