How to turn on Apple’s new stolen iPhone tool

Apple’s latest update includes a new feature that could prevent phone thieves from taking over your accounts.

iOS 17.3 has Stolen Device Protection, adding what Apple describes as a “layer of security when your iPhone is away from familiar locations, such as home or work” and helps protect accounts and personal information in case your iPhone is ever stolen.

According to CNET, Stolen Device Protection requires you to enter your biometric authentication, like Face ID and Touch ID, multiple times to access some settings, like your Apple ID password. For example, if you attempt to change these settings when you’re away from your home, work or other familiar location, you will be required to enter your facial scan or fingerprint one and then again after an hour.

“When your iPhone is in a familiar location, these additional steps are not required, and you can use your device passcode like usual. Familiar locations typically include your home, work, and certain other locations where you regularly use your iPhone,” Apple said in a statement.

Stolen Device Protection is available with iOS 17.3 and must be turned on before the device is lost or stolen.

Here are Apple’s directions for turning Stolen Device Protection on or off.

To turn on Stolen Device Protection you must use two-factor authentication for your Apple ID and set up or enable the following on your iPhone: a device passcode; Face ID or Touch ID; Find My; and Significant Locations (Location Services).

You can turn on Stolen Device Protection in Settings:

• Go to Settings, then tap Face ID & Passcode.
• Enter your device passcode.
• Tap to turn Stolen Device Protection on or off.

One more note – if you try to turn off Stolen Device Protection when you’re not in a familiar location, a security delay will start before you can turn it off.  You should turn off Stolen Device Protection before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone, Apple said.

You can see more on the new feature here.