Turn on Stolen Device Protection before an iPhone is lost

An iPhone thief who also knows the screen passcode can try to change important account settings. Stolen Device Protection adds biometric checks and, for some changes, a security delay. It must be enabled before the phone is stolen; it does not replace Find My, a passcode or a recovery plan.

Prepare it now​

1. Confirm that the iPhone runs iOS 17.3 or later and has an Apple Account with two-factor authentication, a passcode, Face ID or Touch ID, Significant Locations and Find My enabled. These are prerequisites described by Apple.
2. Open Settings → Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode, enter the passcode and open Stolen Device Protection. Turn it on if it is not already enabled.
3. Decide whether the extra measures should apply only away from familiar locations or Always. The Always choice offers consistent protection but can delay legitimate changes even at home.
4. Check that another trusted device and your recovery information are available. Store important account recovery details where a stolen phone is not the only access route.

Understand the delay​

Apple says some actions require Face ID or Touch ID without passcode fallback when away from familiar locations. Changing certain critical settings can require a biometric check, a one-hour wait and a second check; choosing Always applies the extra measures at familiar locations too. Its Stolen Device Protection guide lists the exact protected actions and prerequisites. If the phone is actually missing, act through the lost-phone steps immediately. Do not wait for a protection delay to finish before marking the device lost from another trusted device.