Written By iPhone Thefts: How Apple is Fighting Back with Security Updates
Introduction
If you own an iPhone, you probably know how valuable it is. Not only does it store your personal data, photos, contacts, and messages, but it also allows you to access your online accounts, make payments, and use various apps and services. But what if your iPhone gets stolen? How can you protect your device and your identity from thieves who want to take advantage of your information and money?
Unfortunately, iPhone thefts are a common and growing problem around the world. According to a report by Consumer Reports, more than 3 million smartphones were stolen in the US in 2023, up from 2.1 million in 2022. And iPhone users are particularly vulnerable, as thieves can exploit a security flaw that allows them to bypass the activation lock and take over customers’ accounts.
But don’t worry, Apple is aware of this issue and has taken steps to address it with security updates. In this article, we will explain how Apple is fighting back with security updates, and how you can use them to protect your iPhone from thefts. We will also provide some tips on how to enable and use these features effectively.
What is Stolen Device Protection?
One of the most important security updates that Apple has released in iOS 17.3 is Stolen Device Protection, a feature that allows users to remotely lock or erase their devices if they are lost or stolen. This feature is designed to prevent thieves from accessing your data, accounts, and money, and to deter them from reselling your device.
Stolen Device Protection works by requiring users to enter their Apple ID and password before they can turn off Find My iPhone, erase the device, or reactivate it. This means that even if thieves manage to get past your passcode or Face ID, they won’t be able to use your device or access your information without your credentials.
Stolen Device Protection also allows users to display a custom message on the lock screen, such as a phone number or an email address, where they can be contacted if someone finds their device. This can increase the chances of recovering your device if it is lost or misplaced.
How to Enable and Use Stolen Device Protection?
Stolen Device Protection is automatically enabled when you set up your device with iOS 17.3 or later, as long as you sign in with your Apple ID and turn on Find My iPhone. You can check if this feature is enabled by going to Settings > [your name] > Find My > Find My iPhone. Make sure that Find My iPhone, Find My network, and Send Last Location are all turned on.
If your device is lost or stolen, you can use Stolen Device Protection to remotely lock or erase it. To do this, you need to use another device that has the Find My app, or access the Find My website on a browser. Here are the steps to follow:
- Open the Find My app or website and sign in with your Apple ID and password.
- Tap or click on Devices and select your missing device from the list.
- Tap or click on Activate under Mark As Lost.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to lock your device and display a custom message on the lock screen.
- If you want to erase your device, tap or click on Erase This Device and confirm your action.
Once you activate Stolen Device Protection, your device will be locked and tracked by Find My until you enter your Apple ID and password. You will also receive an email confirmation and a notification when your device is located or when someone tries to reactivate it.
Benefits of Stolen Device Protection
Stolen Device Protection offers several benefits to iPhone users who want to protect their devices and data from thefts. Some of these benefits are:
- It prevents thieves from accessing your personal information, online accounts, and money, as they need your Apple ID and password to use your device.
- It discourages thieves from reselling your device, as it makes it harder for them to erase or reactivate it.
- It increases the chances of recovering your device, as you can track its location and display a contact message on the lock screen.
- It gives you peace of mind, as you can remotely erase your device if you think it is irretrievable.
Summary of Key Points
| Key Point | Description |
|---|---|
| Stolen Device Protection | A security feature that allows users to remotely lock or erase their devices if they are lost or stolen. |
| How it works | It requires users to enter their Apple ID and password before they can turn off Find My iPhone, erase the device, or reactivate it. |
| How to enable it | It is automatically enabled when users set up their device with iOS 17.3 or later, as long as they sign in with their Apple ID and turn on Find My iPhone. |
| How to use it | Users can use the Find My app or website to activate Stolen Device Protection, lock their device, display a custom message, and erase their device. |
| Benefits | It prevents thieves from accessing users’ data, accounts, and money. It discourages thieves from reselling users’ device. It increases the chances of recovering users’ device. It gives users peace of mind. |
Conclusion
In this article, we have explained how Apple is fighting back with security updates, and how you can use them to protect your iPhone from thefts. We have also provided some tips on how to enable and use these features effectively.
We hope you have found this article informative and helpful. Remember, the key to keeping your iPhone safe is to keep your software up to date and protect your passcode in public. And if your device is ever lost or stolen, don’t panic, just use Stolen Device Protection to lock or erase it.
