How to Enable Stolen Device Protection on Your iPhone

Aman Kumar January 29, 2024

Are you worried about thieves accessing personal data on your stolen iPhone? While you can try your best to track your stolen or lost iPhone, you must ensure that the thief cannot access sensitive information, such as iCloud data, bank accounts, and Apple ID, before that. To achieve this, you can enable Stolen Device Protection on your iPhone.

How to Enable Stolen Device Protection on Your iPhone

But what exactly is the Stolen Device Protection feature on iPhone, and how can you enable it? Here’s everything you need to know.

What Is Stolen Device Protection on iPhone? And Why Should You Enable It?

A major security concern with stolen iPhones was that if the thief somehow learned its passcode, they could access iCloud settings, sensitive data like saved passwords and payment details, and even change your Apple account password. And by changing the Apple account password, the thief could access all data saved in your iCloud account.

Apple did not require additional security checks for these actions, which was a major oversight. Stolen Device Protection addresses this gap by introducing an additional layer of security.

With this feature turned on, you’ll need to use Touch ID or Face ID to access sensitive information like saved Wi-Fi passwords, iCloud details, or banking information. You cannot access this data using your iPhone’s passcode or any other fallback option.

Stolen Device Protection also includes a one-hour waiting period before you can perform sensitive actions like changing your Apple ID password, disabling Find My, adding or removing Face ID, and more. You must also confirm your identity twice by entering the phone’s passcode and then through Face ID or Touch ID.

Apple says this delay is designed to give you time to mark your iPhone as lost in Find My before the thief can make any significant changes, protecting your Apple ID and other personal information.

You can use this feature all the time or only when you’re outside your familiar locations. The latter is a list of places where you regularly use your iPhone, like your home and workplace.

Are there any downsides to using Stolen Device Protection? The only real drawback is that if your iPhone’s Face ID or fingerprint scanner stops working, you won’t be able to manage passwords or make Apple ID changes. Basic stuff like texting and calling will still work, but you’ll need to get your iPhone fixed or wait an hour to turn off Stolen Device Protection before accessing those restricted features.

How to Enable Stolen Device Protection on Your iPhone

Before turning on Stolen Device protection, ensure you have iOS 17.3 or later installed on your iPhone. After that, follow the below steps. Here’s how:

Open the Settings app on your iPhone, and choose the Face ID & Passcode option.
Enter your device passcode.
Tap on Stolen Device Protection.
Turn on the toggle next to Stolen Device Protection.
Choose whether you always want to use this feature or only in familiar locations.

And that’s about it. Stolen Device Protection is now enabled on your iPhone.

Keep Your Data Safe From Unauthorized Access

There’s nothing worse than a stranger accessing all your personal data. You can stop that from happening by enabling Stolen Device Protection on your iPhone using the above steps. Luckily, this isn’t the only security feature offered by the iPhone. You can also enable features like parental controls and two-factor authentication (2FA) on your iPhone to enhance its security.

Is stolen device protection available on iPhone?

Yes, Stolen Device Protection is available on iPhones running iOS 17.3 or later. To check your iOS version, simply open the Settings app, tap General, and then Software Update.

How do I block a stolen Apple device?

To block a stolen Apple device, open iCloud and login with your credentials. Then, click Find My, and under the All Devices section, select the Apple device that’s been stolen and then click the Mark As Lost option. This will lock the device, and if someone finds it, they’ll need to enter the passcode, Face ID, or fingerprint to unlock it.

Can a stolen Apple product be tracked?

Yes, a stolen Apple product can be tracked, but there are a few prerequisites for it. First, Find My must be enabled on the lost Apple product. Second, the product must be powered on. If both requirements are met, you can track your stolen Apple product through Find My by signing in to your iCloud account.