Apple iPhones get harder to steal thanks to new iOS 17.3 feature

Apple iPhones are known to be privacy-focused gadgets. Software updates over the years have made many aspects of using an iPhone safer and more secure against malware, apps with poor privacy, and more. However, not much was set in place to prevent the physical theft of an iPhone. That is set to change with the next iOS update – iOS 17.3.

Currently in beta, iOS 17.3 is expected to bring a new feature to iPhones that adds additional security layers in key settings around FaceID, Passcode, Apple ID, and more. This will help secure the phone against theft, even if the thief knows your FaceID password.

How will the stolen-device protection feature work?

Prior to this update, a thief could spy on a user to get a glimpse of their passcode. Once obtained, a thief could steal an iPhone, enter the passcode and have almost immediate access to Apple ID settings. This would allow thieves to change the Apple ID password and lock an owner out of their own iCloud and Find My networks by the time they realise their phone has been stolen.

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The new Stolen Device Protection feature works by implementing an additional layer of biometric security before settings like FaceID, Passcode or the Apple ID password are changed. This also applies to Find My settings, which now cannot be turned off without biometric security.

On the iPhone SE, users will require TouchID to get access to these settings, and on most other iPhones, FaceID will be required.

This prevents thieves from changing these settings after stealing an iPhone, as they would still require FaceID/TouchID access to modify these settings, without which, the stolen iPhone will remain traceable. This also means an owner will still have remote iCloud access and will be able to lock the phone down via any other device.

When will you get the feature?

iOS 17.3 is currently in beta, which means most users will not have access to the new feature until they get the stable update for the same. With Apple only releasing the stable version of iOS 17.2 earlier this week, it could be a few more weeks until iOS 17.3 is made widely available. Supported devices can expect to get iOS 17.3 update in early 2024.