The new security function is useful if the phone thief knows your access code. The additional security feature is not automatically turned on.
The iOS 17.3 version has a new function that improves security. Adobe Stock
Apple’s new IOS 17.3 update has a function that long-fingered people are guaranteed not to be excited about.
Among other things The Wall Street Journal warned last year about phone thefts where the thief has first extracted the user’s access code before taking the device. If a thief who knows the access code immediately changes the password of the Apple ID connected to the device, the game may be lost.
The new function called “Stolen device protection” can be of great help in situations where the phone is stolen and the device’s access code is known to the thief.
Thanks to the feature, a time delay of one hour is added to changing the settings that are essential for the security of the device when the changes are attempted outside of known locations, such as the user’s home or workplace.
Some functions cannot be performed without an access code at all when additional protection is enabled. For example, you cannot change the Apple ID password or erase the phone until one hour after making the request.
This gives the phone’s rightful owner additional time, for example, to report the device as stolen and lock it via the Etsi application.
However, the function that came with the new 17.3 system version is not on by default. You can enable it by going to Settings > Face ID and passcode > Stolen device protection.