Apple’s New Kryptonite for iPhone Thieves Makes Stealing Smartphones Pointless

How does Stolen Device Protection safeguard my phone?

If you’re outside a familiar location, you must use Face ID or Touch ID before you can take the following actions:

• Use passwords or passkeys saved in the Keychain repository of passwords.
• Take advantage of autofill payment methods saved in the Safari browser.
• Turn off Lost Mode, which allows you to lock any of your Apple devices so others can’t access your personal information.
• Erase all content and settings.
• Apply for a new Apple Card credit card or view an Apple Card’s virtual card number.
• Perform certain Apple Cash and savings actions, such as transferring money in the Wallet app.
• Use iPhone’s Quick Start feature to set up a new device.

But I can do other things if I’m away?

Sorry, you must wait. Other more sensitive features impose a one-hour delay if the phone is away from its Significant Locations.

After a theft, that could give you time to take steps to recover the phone or minimize damage. You’ll have to wait to:

• Change your Apple ID password.
• Sign out of your Apple ID.
• Update Apple ID account security settings.
• Add or remove Face ID or Touch ID.
• Change your iPhone passcode.
• Reset all settings.
• Turn off the Find My feature.
• Turn off the Stolen Device Protection feature that puts these limits in place.

Even after this delay, you must prove that you’re you again with Face ID or Touch ID to update any of the items on this list.

You indicated the feature isn’t bulletproof. How so?

The iPhone may need several days or longer before it learns the places you consider significant, especially since you can’t manually mark such places. This could be a hassle if you need to perform any time-delayed actions when Stolen Device Protection is enabled.

Meanwhile, a thief with your passcode can purchase items using Apple Pay with just the passcode. And the criminal also can access other accounts on the phone, including Notes, where some people keep passwords against the advice of security experts.

Do Androids have an equivalent feature?

Android phone features can vary by manufacturer, so direct security comparisons are difficult. But strong security practices apply whether you’re using an iPhone or Android.

Always employ complex passwords with a string of characters that you can remember but that will be hard for anyone else to guess. Avoid using the same passwords across accounts and devices.

You should also use two-factor authentication and any biometric security options on the devices you own.