The iPhone Security Feature You Need to Turn On

Losing your iPhone is stressful enough. But what if the person who steals it already knows your passcode?

It might sound unlikely, but someone could watch you unlock your phone in a crowded restaurant, coffee shop, or other public place without you ever noticing.

Armed with your iPhone and its passcode, a thief could potentially access sensitive information, including saved passwords and financial accounts. They might even attempt to change your Apple Account password, making it harder for you to regain control.

Fortunately, Apple has a built-in security feature designed to help protect you in exactly this situation.

It’s called Stolen Device Protection, and it’s completely free.

Stolen Device Protection adds an extra layer of security to your iPhone, particularly when someone has both your device and its passcode.

Normally, your iPhone allows you to use your passcode as an alternative to Face ID or Touch ID for many actions.

Stolen Device Protection changes that for certain sensitive operations.

For example, accessing saved passwords or changing important security settings may require biometric authentication, meaning your actual face or fingerprint. Knowing your passcode alone won’t be enough.

For especially sensitive changes, such as changing your Apple Account password, your iPhone may also require a one-hour security delay followed by another biometric authentication.

That extra time could make a significant difference if your phone ends up in the wrong hands.

Enabling Stolen Device Protection takes less than a minute.

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode).
3. Enter your iPhone’s passcode.
4. Scroll down to Stolen Device Protection.
5. Turn the feature on.

You’ll also see an option called Require Security Delay.

By default, your iPhone may only enforce certain additional protections when you’re away from familiar locations, such as your home or workplace.

For stronger protection, I recommend changing this setting to Always.

This ensures the security delay applies regardless of where you are, including at home.

Keep in mind that Stolen Device Protection requires two-factor authentication for your Apple Account, an iPhone passcode, Face ID or Touch ID, and certain other security features to be enabled.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, making this a particularly good time to review the security settings on your devices.

You don’t need to be a technology expert to protect yourself. Often, the most effective precautions are simple settings that are already built into the devices you own.

Stolen Device Protection is one of those settings.

It’s free, takes only a moment to enable, and could help prevent a stolen phone from becoming a much bigger problem.

Want to make sure you’re prepared if your iPhone is ever lost or stolen?

I’ve put together a free, easy-to-follow guide covering the important steps you can take to protect your information, secure your accounts, and respond if your device goes missing.