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iPhone owners warned to turn on Stolen Device Protection to secure device against theft Credits: Social Media
By Ellissa Bain

iPhone owners warned to turn on Stolen Device Protection to secure device against theft

By Ellissa Bain

With pickpockets rife all over the world, it’s important to take extra precautions to protect your phone if it is stolen.

Sometimes theft is unavoidable, but there is something you can do to ensure your private information is safe if thieves do get their hands on your device.

Hand of unrecognizable criminal taking mobile phone from backpack of unsuspicious female teenager
Hand of unrecognizable male criminal in black sweatshirt carefully taking mobile phone from backpack of unsuspicious female teenager in underground parking lot creeping up from behind. Credit: Iuliia Burmistrova (Getty Images)

iPhone owners warned to turn on vital feature

Technology expert Luis De Los Santos from�Back Market�warns iPhone users to turn on a built-in�feature called Stolen Device Protection�to safeguard your personal information and increase the chances of recovering your device.

It adds an extra layer of security when your iPhone is away from familiar locations, such as your home or workplace, and helps to protect your accounts and personal information in case your iPhone is ever stolen, Apple explains.

When your phone is taken, Stolen Device Protection is activated, which means Face ID or Touch ID biometric authentication is needed to perform some actions, such as accessing stored passwords and credit cards.

A Security Delay feature is also enabled which forces the user to wait an hour and perform a second Face ID or Touch ID authentication before doing some actions, such as changing your Apple ID password.

All of this extra security is automatically activated when your phone recognizes an unfamiliar location, which triggers it to act as though the device has been stolen, stopping thieves from accessing your information.

How to switch on Stolen Device Protection

  1. Go to ‘Settings’
  2. Click ‘Face ID & Passcode’
  3. Enter your iPhone’s passcode
  4. Press ‘Stolen Device Protection’
  5. Turn it on

You probably didn’t even know the security feature existed, and here are some more things you had no idea you could do with your iPhone.

Stolen Device Protection feature in iPhone Settings
Credit: Apple

More security tips to protect your iPhone

On top of turning on Stolen Device Protection, the technology expert also recommends doing the following things to protect your device against theft:

  1. Turn on Find My iPhone: This allows you to track, lock, and erase your iPhone if it gets lost or stolen.
  2. Use a strong passcode: Always opt for a passcode with more digits and complexity. Use six digits instead of four and avoid simple passcodes like ‘1234’ or ‘0000’.�
  3. Avoid using your iPhone in public places: Be careful when using your phone in busy areas where thieves are more likely to be active.
  4. Keep your iPhone securely stored: When not in use, always keep your phone in a secure pocket or bag, preferably with a zipper or button closure.
  5. Be aware of motorcyclists and cyclists: Criminals often use bikes and motorcycles to snatch people’s phones in public.