How to Set Up Stolen Device Protection on iPhone!
Apple’s Stolen Device Protection is a new feature designed to keep your iPhone and personal data safe if your phone is ever stolen. It adds extra security so that even if someone knows your passcode, they can’t easily change important settings or access your private information. Setting it up is simple and well worth the effort - especially if you want to avoid the stress of losing access to your device or needing device repair after unauthorized changes.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, including how to turn it on and why it matters.
Key Takeaways
- Stolen Device Protection is available from iOS 17.3+
- Requires biometric authentication for sensitive changes
- Includes a security delay when outside familiar locations
- Reduces the risk of unauthorized access or needing device repairs
- Helps keep your Apple ID, data, and device secure
What Is Stolen Device Protection?
Stolen Device Protection adds an extra layer of security for iPhone users running iOS 17.3 or later. With this feature on, some sensitive settings - like changing your Apple ID, turning off Find My iPhone, or accessing saved passwords - will require Face ID or Touch ID, not just your passcode.
If you’re not in a familiar location, the phone also delays certain actions for an hour. This gives you time to react, especially if your iPhone has been stolen.
Why You Should Use It
People often search for help after their phones are stolen or misused, and end up needing device repair or searching for services like device repair near me. But with Stolen Device Protection turned on, it becomes much harder for a thief to take control of your phone or cause damage that might need repair.
This feature:
Protects your Apple ID from being changed
Prevents unauthorized changes to key security settings
Blocks access to sensitive data like iCloud Keychain passwords
Keeps Find My iPhone active, making it easier to track your lost phone
By using this protection, you reduce the chances of your iPhone being misused or needing professional help for software damage.
What You Need Before You Start
Make sure you have the following:
iPhone updated to iOS 17.3 or later
Face ID or Touch ID set up
Find My iPhone turned on
Two-Factor Authentication enabled for your Apple ID
Significant Locations turned on (this helps your phone recognize familiar places)
How to Turn On Stolen Device Protection
Step 1: Update Your iPhone
Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install the latest version of iOS if needed.
Step 2: Configure Touch ID or Face ID
If you haven't already, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode) and follow the instructions.
Step 3: Turn on two-factor authentication
Turn on two-factor authentication by going to Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security > Two-Factor Authentication.
Step 4: Examine Locate My iPhone
Select [your name] > Settings > Find My > Verify that your iPhone is turned on by searching for it.
Step 5: Turn On Significant Locations
Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services > Significant Locations and make sure it's enabled. This allows your phone to know when you're at a trusted place like home or work.
Step 6: Turn On Stolen Device Protection
Open Settings
Tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode)
Enter your iPhone passcode
Scroll down and tap Stolen Device Protection
Tap Turn On Protection
What Changes After It’s On?
Once you enable Stolen Device Protection:
You must use Face ID or Touch ID to make sensitive changes, even if your phone is unlocked with a passcode.
If you're away from a familiar location, a security delay of one hour will apply before changes like Apple ID password resets are allowed.
This added time is a safety measure to help you recover access or lock your phone using another device or Apple’s Find My service.
How It Helps Prevent Damage and Repairs
When someone steals your iPhone, they may try to break into your settings or even reset the device. This can cause software problems or lock you out of your own Apple account. If this happens, many people end up looking for device repair near me just to get their phone working again.
By setting up Stolen Device Protection, you avoid many of the issues that lead to needing professional device repair. It keeps your information secure and helps prevent damage from unauthorized actions.
If your device has been affected by theft, damage, or software issues, iFixScreens is ready to help. Our experienced technicians handle everything from unresponsive iPhones and lockouts to repairs after theft attempts. With reliable service across multiple locations, it’s easy to find the nearest iFixScreens store for fast, professional support. For anyone searching for device repair near me, iFixScreens remains a trusted and convenient choice.
Final Thoughts
Turning on Stolen Device Protection on your iPhone is a smart way to stay secure. It’s easy to set up, takes only a few minutes, and offers strong protection against theft and misuse. It also lowers the risk of software problems that might otherwise require you to look for device repair services later on.
If you haven’t enabled this feature yet, now is the time to do it. It’s one of the best ways to keep your iPhone safe - and keep your data in your hands, where it belongs.
FAQ's
Q. What does stolen device protection do on an iPhone?
A. It stops thieves from changing important settings or accessing your data, even if they know your passcode.
Q. How do I protect my iPhone if it’s stolen?
A. Use Face ID or Touch ID, turn on Find My iPhone, enable Stolen Device Protection, and use a strong passcode.
Q. How to set an iPhone when it gets stolen?
A. Go to iCloud.com or use the Find My app on another device to mark it as lost, lock it, or erase it remotely.
Q. How to activate a stolen device on an iPhone?
A. You can't. If Stolen Device Protection and Activation Lock are on, only the original owner's Apple ID can unlock it.