What you should know
- Be cautious when using your iPhone in public places such as bars, and never leave it unattended or give it to strangers. Avoid connecting it to public Wi-Fi networks and charging stations.
- The upcoming iOS 17.3 update will include a Stolen Device Protection feature that requires verification from Face ID or Touch ID to access certain data when the iPhone is not at a familiar location. This feature also introduces an hour delay before certain passwords and IDs can be changed, giving the victim time to notice the theft and inform Apple.
- The Stolen Device Protection feature will be disabled by default in iOS 17.3, but can be enabled in the settings. It is also available in the iOS 17.3 beta 1 update, which users can install if they don’t want to wait for the official release.
- If you choose to install the iOS 17.3 beta 1 update, ensure you have a current backup as the beta might stop certain features from working and you may need to revert back to iOS 17.2.
Full Story
So you’re heading to a bar for drinks, right? Well, use your noggin. A guy named Johnson used to hang out in a local bar in Minneapolis. His office, so to speak.
Every weekend, he’d zero in on college-age guys and older men who had a few too many. He had this trick, see? He’d get their passcodes and then swipe their gadgets. Before the poor sap even knew his iPhone was gone, Johnson would be in control. He’d change the Apple ID password, and by dawn, he’d be on a shopping spree with the victim’s credit cards. He’d even start draining their bank accounts.
Now, there’s a thing called Stolen Device Protection coming with iOS 17.3. You can even get a taste of it with iOS 17.3 beta 1.
To avoid falling into a trap like this, keep your passcode private. Unlock your iPhone away from prying eyes. And whatever you do, don’t hand your iPhone to anyone. No matter what sad story they spin. It’s a rule to live by. If you give your iPhone to a stranger, well, bad things usually happen. And don’t leave your iPhone on a table, even if you’re surrounded by friends. If you’ve got a breast pocket, that’s where your iPhone should be. Putting it in your back pocket is like painting a target for pickpockets.
And another thing, don’t connect your iPhone to public Wi-Fi or charging stations. Bring your own power bank. Keep it in your pocket. Once iOS 17.3 is out, you’ll have the Stolen Device Protection feature. If your iPhone isn’t at a familiar place like home or work, you’ll need to verify with Face ID or Touch ID to access certain data. There’s an hour delay before passwords and IDs can be changed. This gives you time to notice if your iPhone is missing and to alert Apple.
Guys like Aaron Johnson are successful because they can take over a phone quickly. The Stolen Device Protection feature should help prevent these crimes. The one hour delay slows down password and security feature changes.
When iOS 17.3 arrives, the Stolen Device Protection feature will be disabled by default. It should be here next month. You can turn it on in Settings > Face ID & Passcode. Under Stolen Device Protection, tap on Turn on Protection.
Don’t want to wait for iOS 17.3? You can install the iOS 17.3 beta 1 update and toggle on the Stolen Device Protection feature. Join the beta program at www.beta.apple.com or tap this link. After signing up, go to Settings > General > Software Updates. Tap on Beta Updates, iOS 17 Public Beta, and install iOS 17.3 beta 1. But remember, if your iPhone is your daily driver, installing the beta might stop certain features from working. If you decide to install the iOS 17.3 beta 1 update, make sure you have a backup in case you need to revert back to iOS 17.2. You’ll have to wipe your phone, though.
