Each new iOS update brings benefits that you have to know how to take advantage of and be grateful for given the opportunity. This is the case of the anti-theft protection of iOS 17.3 recently released by Apple and which complements the security measures already implemented in previous versions of the mobile operating system.
This feature called “Device Theft Protection” prevents a casual thief from accessing critical information or making changes to your iCloud account when your device is away from known locations like your home or where you work.
That is, if the iPhone is not in a known location and has iOS 17.3 anti-theft protection activated, it will necessarily require Face ID or Touch ID biometric identification to be able to display, for example, password information or bank account data, which also means that only you could carry out these operations. Consequently, alternative methods such as the unlock code that could be found out by a person who is not the owner of the iPhone are disabled. This setting also applies to operations such as turning off lost mode or using saved payment methods in Safari.
On the other hand, a sensitive operation such as changing the iCloud account password is also protected. Any attempt to do so in an unknown or irregular location will be delayed by one hour. In addition, it will require that after this period it be confirmed with biometric authentication.
This way you will have time to protect the information on your iPhone, including the ability to lock or remotely wipe it. Other functions involved are disabling Face ID or Touch ID, changing the unlock code, and disabling Find My iPhone.
The Theft Protection feature requires that an iCloud account be set up on the device in conjunction with Find My iPhone. Additionally, the iPhone needs to have an unlock code and the iCloud account has two-factor authentication set up.
How to enable the new iPhone anti-theft mode?
Open Settings and tap Face ID & passcode. Enter your iPhone unlock code. Go to Device theft protection, and tap Turn on protection.