The iPhone (since iOS 17.3) has an additional theft protection feature. This is called “Device Theft Protection” and is not enabled by default. Here is our guide showing how to activate it, but also, and above all, giving the reasons why it is more than advisable to do so… If you care about your iPhone and your data, of course.
1. How to enable “Device Theft Protection” on your iPhone?
The corresponding option can be found in the Settings app:
- Once the settings screen is visible, go to the “Face ID and code” menu
- Enter code to unlock access
- Tap “Device theft protection”
© iOS screenshot by pocketphotography.com
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- Activate the “Device theft protection” switch
© iOS screenshot by pocketphotography.com
That’s it, the functionality is active. See the paragraph below to find out what this entails. If you ever want to deactivate the protection, simply, in the same menu, in the same place, press the setting again and validate the action using biometric verification.
2. What is the “Device Theft Protection” feature for?
The idea is to block the possibilities of anyone who has gotten their hands on your iPhone, thanks to these 2 major limitations put in place when the functionality is activated:
- Geolocation: when your iPhone is geolocated elsewhere than a usual location (place of residence and place of work, in particular), certain settings only become accessible after biometric verification, Touch ID or Face ID. See the list of affected settings in paragraph 2a
- Access time: other options benefit from an additional layer of security to that of geolocation, this is a delay. In short, when leaving an area of usual use, these parameters can only be modified after waiting 60 minutes. See the list of affected settings in paragraph 2b
2a. Features protected by Face ID / Touch ID once the iPhone is outside the usual area
- Using Keychain Access (registration keys, passwords)
- Using pre-saved payment methods in Safari
- Access to deactivating “Lost” mode
- Access to the “Erase content and settings” function
- Consulting the number of an Apple Card virtual card (unavailable in France)
- Request a new Apple Card (unavailable in France)
- Transfer money from an Apple Cash or Savings account (unavailable in France)
2b. Settings protected by Face ID / Touch ID and a waiting period once the iPhone is outside the usual area
- Changing Apple ID Password
- Sign out of Apple ID
- Changing Apple Account security settings (editing a trusted device, editing a recovery key, editing a recovery contact)
- Adding or removing a Face ID appearance or Touch ID fingerprint
- Changing the iPhone numeric or alphanumeric passcode
- Resetting settings
- Disabling Find My
- Disabling the “Device Theft Protection” feature
3. A defense not without flaws
Please note, if the person holding your iPhone knows its access code, they can also make Apple Pay payments. The access code makes it possible to validate a transaction of this type.
In the end, you should remember that this “Protection in the event of device theft” function is only useful if the thief manages to unlock the iPhone and therefore knows the numeric or alphanumeric access code. However, with these two simple actions, you can prevent this first breach:
- Touch ID / Face ID: in general, but especially in public (public transport, crowded places), use Face ID or Touch ID as a priority to unlock your machine (otherwise someone could watch you typing your code before stealing your iPhone)
- Long alphanumeric code: favor a long access code, with numbers and letters, serving as a backup in the event of Face ID or Touch ID not being effective. The longer the code, the more complex it will be for the criminal to remember.
That’s it, you know everything about the “Protection in the event of device theft” function.
Do not hesitate to tell us in comments if you have decided to activate the function or not, and why?
By: Keleops AG
