iPhone Stolen Device Protection is Coming to iOS 17.3—Apple's Developer Beta Details

In a bid to protect iPhones further, Apple's next feature leverages the 'Stolen Device Protection' system that will arrive soon with iOS 17.3. This new security feature will help avoid the removal of their passcode, Find My, and Apple or iCloud accounts, as there have been massive targeted thefts that outsmarted Cupertino's initial safeguards from thieves.

iPhone to Get Stolen Device Protection via iOS 17.3

The latest report from The Wall Street Journal confirms the arrival of the Stolen Device Protection feature for iPhones, and this is now available to test via the beta phase of iOS 17.3 As announced by Apple earlier, Stolen Device Protection will offer time delays, biometric scans, and location mapping to help owners lock out thieves before they reset the smartphone.

Currently, users have the feature to lock the iPhone via Find My, reporting it as stolen, to avoid getting reset. However, it would only work if owners get ahead of the perpetrators before they enact their deeds.

Without Stolen Device Protection, thieves who already know one's passcode will be able to change it, remove the Apple ID, turn off Find My, create a new recovery key, and go as far as to factory reset the iPhone.

New Security Feature Currently in iOS 17.3 Beta

It is important to note that the Stolen Device Protection security feature will be made available to iOS 17.3, and this version is currently under its beta testing phase for developers and participants. While iOS 17.3 is still in beta, it is still recommended to avoid entering the passcode in public places and use biometric scans, particularly, Face ID.

However, if this is inevitable, mind one's surroundings and be vigilant for onlookers when entering the iPhone's lock screen code.

Passcode Thieves: iPhone's Vulnerability

The iPhone and other Apple devices have Find My and Apple iCloud being one layer of security in case these get stolen, but there has been a vulnerability that renders it useless against thieves who know how to disable it. This is the infamous stolen iPhone passcode fiasco observed earlier this year and during the 2022 holidays, where thieves only need to know the code to remove everything.

It works when thieves observe a person entering their passcodes in public areas, and then wait for their opportunity to swipe it from the owner. Next, they only need to input the passcode to disable the Find My feature and the Apple account, essentially rendering it useless to track, which is why security experts have recommended using Face ID or Touch, especially in public places.

However, there are occurrences where the iPhone or iPad would request a user to input the password for these biometric security features to work, and this could be an opportunity for thieves. Not anymore though with Apple's Stolen Device Protection currently under beta testing, alongside iOS 17.3, and this feature will help address delaying the removal of the passcode and keep the Apple ID logged in, alongside Find My.