How to Turn on Stolen Device Protection on iPhone [iOS 17.3]

Charlotte Bayley

Updated: February 18, 2024

In 2024, Apple released iOS 17.3 along with a new brand security feature, Stolen Device Protection. This feature is designed to safeguard users' data when they are not in familiar locations, such as their home or workplace, or if their iPhone is stolen or lost, greatly enhancing the security of iPhones. So, how do I turn on Stolen Device Protection on iPhone?

This article provides a comprehensive overview of this feature and guides you through the steps necessary to enable it on your iPhone.

How to turn on Stolen Device Protection on iPhone

Part 1: What's Stolen Device Protection and How It Works?
Part 2: How to Turn on Stolen Device Protection on iPhone?
Part 3: Why Does Stolen Device Protection Not Show Up?

Part 1: What's Stolen Device Protection and How It Works?

Stolen Device Protection adds an extra layer of security to your iPhone to protect it from thieves and hackers, making it harder for them to use or sell your device or information. For example, if this feature is enabled, even if someone knows your iPhone passcode, they will need to use biometric authentication to make any further changes to your iPhone.

When your iPhone is in an unfamiliar location or it is stolen, the Stolen Device Protection feature allows you to effectively lock your stolen devices and protect your data and privacy by combining factors such as location, biometric scans, and time delays, i.e. if your iPhone is away from your usual locations, Face ID or Touch ID is required for some specific operations, for example:

• Turn off Lost Mode
• Set your iPhone as a new device (quick start)
• Apply for a new Apple Card
• Erase all content and settings
• View &Use passwords or passkeys saved in iCloud
• View Apple Card virtual card number
• Use payment methods saved in Safari (autofill)
• Take certain Apple Cash and Savings actions in Wallet

However, for some particularly sensitive operations, in addition to authenticating via Face ID or Touch ID, you must wait an additional hour, also known as Security Delay, and then authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID again to do so, including the following:

• Turn off Find My Device
• Turn off Stolen Device Protection
• Change your Apple ID password
• Change your iPhone Lock Screen passcode
• Add or remove Face ID or Touch ID
• Sign out of your Apple ID
• Update Apple ID account security settings, including adding or removing a trusted device, Recovery Key, or Recovery Contact
• Reset All Settings

Part 2: How to Turn on Stolen Device Protection on iPhone?

Prerequisites:

To Turn on Stolen Device Protection, the following must be enabled:
• Two-factor authentication
• iPhone passcode
• Face ID or Touch ID
• Find My
• Location Services

Now you can turn Stolen Device Protection on, here's what you need to do:

Step 1: Go to Settings and tap Face ID & Passcode.

Step 2: Enter your iPhone passcode.

Step 3: Locate Stolen Device Protection, then tap Turn On Protection.

turn on Stolen Device Protection on iPhone

Part 3: Why Does Stolen Device Protection Not Show Up?

As mentioned previously, Stolen Device Protection is accessible in iOS 17.3. If your iPhone is incompatible with iOS 17.3 or if your iOS version is outdated, you won't be able to see this feature on your device. It's worth noting that this feature is currently not supported on iPad.