Stolen Device Protection (iPhone): how to turn it on
Available since iOS 17.3, Stolen Device Protection adds biometric checks and a security delay for certain sensitive actions. Check that it is enabled before a loss; it does not prevent the theft itself.
Your iPhone knows your passwords, your emails, your bank cards and your authentication codes. For years, a thief who had watched you type your passcode could, within minutes, change your Apple Account password, lock you out and drain your accounts. Stolen Device Protection closes that door.
Introduced with iOS 17.3, Stolen Device Protection adds safeguards for sensitive actions. It may be on by default; check your settings and Apple’s requirements before relying on it.
The flaw it fixes
The weak link isn't your passcode: it's the moment a thief watched you type it. With your passcode and your iPhone in hand, they could once turn off “Find My,” erase every trace and resell the device. This protection stops that.
The principleWhat is Stolen Device Protection?
It's a security layer that kicks in mainly when your iPhone is away from the places you frequent (home, work). In that case, two locks are added on top of your passcode.
1. Mandatory biometrics, with no passcode fallback. For sensitive actions — viewing your saved passwords, erasing the iPhone, using a card saved in Safari — Face ID or Touch ID becomes required. There's no working around it with the passcode alone.
2. The one-hour Security Delay. For the most critical actions — changing your Apple Account password, changing the iPhone passcode, turning off “Find My” or the protection itself — the iPhone requires Face ID, then a one-hour wait, then a second Face ID. Enough time for you to mark the device as lost.
Step by stepHow to turn it on in 4 steps
Check the prerequisites
You need: two-factor authentication on your Apple Account, a device passcode, Face ID or Touch ID, “Find My” enabled, and “Significant Locations” enabled (Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → System Services).
Open Settings → Face ID & Passcode
Enter your passcode, scroll down to “Stolen Device Protection,” then tap the option.
Turn it on and choose the mode
Turn on the protection, then choose “Away from Familiar Locations” (active when you're out) or “Always.” For maximum security, choose “Always”: the delay will apply everywhere, even at home.
Confirm it's active
Stolen Device Protection is available from iOS 17.3 and may be on by default. Check Settings → Face ID & Passcode → Stolen Device Protection. Update to a supported version if needed and review Apple’s setup requirements.
Physically tether your phone
A physical attachment can reduce the risk of drops or snatching, but cannot guarantee that theft will never happen. It complements awareness and security settings; it is not a GPS tracker.
Keep “Find My” and the offline network on
The protection works hand in hand with “Find My iPhone.” Also enable the offline finding network and “Send Last Location”: you'll be able to locate the device even when it's off or offline.
Back up and hide your notifications
Turn on automatic iCloud backup, and hide message previews on the Lock Screen: your authentication codes (2FA) will no longer show for everyone to see.
Software vs physicalWhat each protection really covers
A physical attachment can reduce the risk of drops or snatching, but cannot guarantee that theft will never happen. It complements awareness and security settings; it is not a GPS tracker.
| Protection | Stops the theft | Protects the account | Protects the data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passcode + biometrics | No | Partial | Yes |
| “Find My” | No | Partial | Partial |
| Stolen Device Protection | No | Yes | Yes |
*By stopping the theft itself, the bracelet indirectly protects your account and your data. Pair it with Stolen Device Protection for complete defense.
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Check the current product page for price, availability, included components and compatibility before choosing.
View the product page →Frequently askedStolen Device Protection: your questions
Is the protection on by default?
Stolen Device Protection is available from iOS 17.3 and may be on by default. Check Settings → Face ID & Passcode → Stolen Device Protection. Update to a supported version if needed and review Apple’s setup requirements.
What does the one-hour “Security Delay” mean?
For the most sensitive actions (Apple password, passcode, “Find My”), the iPhone asks for Face ID, imposes a one-hour wait, then a second Face ID. This delay keeps a thief from acting fast enough to lock you out.
“Away from Familiar Locations” or “Always”?
“Away from Familiar Locations” applies the protections away from home and work. “Always” applies them everywhere. For maximum security — or if the risk exists at home too — choose “Always.”
Does it stop my iPhone from being stolen?
A physical attachment can reduce the risk of drops or snatching, but cannot guarantee that theft will never happen. It complements awareness and security settings; it is not a GPS tracker.
What about Android?
Android offers an equivalent: “Theft Detection Lock” and remote lock, under Settings → Google → All services → Theft protection. Same idea — and the same limit: it doesn't stop the snatch.
Keep your phone within reach
Stolen Device Protection keeps your data. The LOCKÜP™ bracelet keeps your phone. The two measures complement each other, without eliminating every risk.
Explore the LOCKÜP collection →