Apple announces ‘Lost Mode’ in iOS 17.3 update; find out how to activate

O iOS 17.3recently released by Apple, brings with it a new layer of security called ‘Stolen Device Protection’. This feature aims to make it difficult to access crucial iPhone settings in cases of theft.

When you turn on Stolen Device Protection, certain actions, such as erasing data from your phone, changing your Apple ID password, and changing faces enrolled in Face ID, are restricted.

Apple announces update that prevents loss of personal data – Image: Reproduction

In some situations, you may need to wait an hour before you can make the desired changes.

Stolen Device Protection was introduced during the beta phase of iOS 17.3, coming to prominence in December 2023, and is now available to all devices. users.

Learn how to activate ‘Lost Mode’

The novelty arrives as a response to a common type of crime in U.S: Criminals observe victims entering their passwords on iPhones in busy locations and wait for the right moment to steal it.

After the theft, criminals change the Apple ID password and disable location tracking. With access to saved passwords, they can access emails and bank accounts, for example.

With this, Apple announced the new feature to ensure greater security for users.

Follow this step by step to activate the new feature:

1. Access iPhone settings.
2. Go to ‘Face ID and Code’.
3. Enable the ‘Stolen Device Protection’ option.

From that moment on, the iPhone will require additional confirmations to make changes to sensitive settings, especially when outside previously known locations, such as the user’s home or workplace.

The update arrived dividing sensitive settings into two groups, each with distinct levels of security.

In the first group, whose changes require biometric authentication (Face ID or Touch ID) are:

• Using passwords or passkeys saved on iOS;
• Using payment methods saved in Safari;
• Deactivation of ‘Lost Mode’;
• Deletion of content and adjustments;
• Using the iPhone to configure a new device;
• Access to specific features related to Apple Card, Apple Cash, and your Savings account, available in the US only.

The second group has an additional layer of protection called ‘security delay’.

In this case, every modification requires a biometric confirmation, followed by a one-hour wait and, finally, another biometric confirmation.

In this second group are:

• Changing your Apple ID password;
• Closing your Apple ID session;
• Update Apple ID security settings;
• Addition or removal of biometric authentication;
• Changing your iPhone password;
• Resetting all settings;
• Disabling the Search feature;
• Disabling Stolen Device Protection itself.