If a thief ever steals an iPhone from your bag or rushes it out of your grip, panic immediately. You may also have much more to worry, further than just the costs of replacing the telephone. What if they saw that you enter the access code and now have easy access to all your messages, photos and sensitive information? Although it is certain to have your smartphone steal, the switch on of Apple’s stolen device protection can immediately reduce the access of your iPhone’s data. This function is not automatically switched on and must be activated before the crime occurs.
For the first time released as part of iOS 17.3, stolen device protection has essentially added an extra security layer to your smartphone when the device is somewhere where you do not visit regularly. Here is a quick guide for what the software function does and what steps are needed to put it on.
What does stolen device protection do?
The function is specifically designed for situations in which a criminal not only takes your iPhone, but also knows your access code and can unlock the device. When they physically purchase your phone and bring it to a location that you don’t visit often, the security measures start to start with stolen device protection.
The most important thing that activates the function is that it starts to require your face -ID -Biometry to access sensitive functions on the phone, such as using your key ring passwords, viewing your stored payment information in Safari and the disable of the Lost mode. Even if the thieves know your access code, it no longer works as a backup option; Face ID is required for full access. This also prevents thieves not easily wiping all your data from the telephone, so that they can sell it, because that procedure also requires Face ID.
In addition to forcing biometric authentication, stolen device protection adds a security delay period for changes in safety functions on the phone. If the thief wants to report to your Apple ID or switch off, I find my iPhone for example, they can’t just keep the phone in front of your face for a few seconds if they flee the scene of the crime. With the automatic security delay of the function you have to wait an hour to make large safety changes to the device and you must confirm your biometrics at the beginning and at the end of this process.
How to enable stolen device protection on the iPhone
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Before you can switch on stolen device protection, you must first set a few other basic functions on your smartphone. You probably already have a face -ID and an access code on your Apple device -both of these are needed to make the function work.
Step 1: Enter two-factor authentication (2FA)
You must then check whether two-factor authentication (2FA) is enabled for your Apple ID, which is a good idea, even if you do not use stolen device protection. Check if you are already using this by:
- Go to institutions
- Tap your name at the top
- The Register and Choose Security tab
- Check whether 2fa is in the middle of this screen for your Apple ID
Step 2: Hire important locations
The last software function that you have to activate on the iPhone is important locations. This keeps places that you regularly visit, so that your phone can detect whether it is in a known or unknown place. According to Apple, the data end-to-end are coded and are not read by the company. Here is how you can switch it on:
- Open settings
- Tap privacy and security
- Select location services
- Scroll all the way down and tap System Services
- Choose important locations
- Unlock with Face ID when asked
- Move the switch to the right to switch on the function
Step 3: Switch on the protection of the stolen device
After you have completed the above steps, you can finally enable stolen device protection:
- Open settings
- Tap Face ID & Passcode
- Enter your access code
- Scroll down to find stolen device protection
- Switch the switch to the right to switch it on
Why you should switch on stolen device protection on your iPhone
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Apple Stolen Device Protection is an essential security function that ensures that your personal data remains safe, even if your iPhone has been stolen. By activating this function, it makes it considerably more difficult for thieves to get access to sensitive information or to disable crucial security settings. With iPhone -stolen device protection, you can be sure that even if your device falls into the wrong hands, your data will remain protected.
Taking the time to make stolen device protection now possible, can later save you from potential financial and emotional stress. Don’t wait until it’s too late – focus on this function today and protect your iPhone against theft!
Featured image: MacWorld
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