Apple Beta Tests Stolen Device Protection Setting for iPhone

Apple is reportedly beta testing a new feature called Stolen Device Protection that is designed to safeguard users whose iPhone has been stolen.

The new iOS setting aims to address a security vulnerability that allows criminals who have stolen the devices to access users’ accounts and compromise their digital lives, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Tuesday (Dec. 12). Apple plans to include it in an upcoming software update.

One of the key features of Stolen Device Protection is its ability to prevent thieves from changing the Apple account password using the stolen device’s passcode, according to the report. Currently, thieves can easily change the password, lock the owner out of their account, and disable the Find My feature, making it challenging to locate or remotely wipe the stolen device.

With Stolen Device Protection enabled, changing the Apple ID password away from a familiar location will require the user’s Face ID or Touch ID, adding an hour-long delay before the action can be performed, the report said. This additional layer of security aims to ensure that unauthorized individuals cannot gain immediate access to the account.

Furthermore, Stolen Device Protection also safeguards Apple’s recovery key feature, per the report. Currently, if a thief adds a recovery key to the stolen device, the owner loses access to their Apple ID password reset options, potentially leading to the loss of crucial data stored in iCloud.

Enabling Stolen Device Protection adds a similar biometric scan and security delay requirement for changing the recovery key or trusted phone number, making it more difficult for thieves to manipulate these settings, the report said.

Stolen Device Protection also enhances the security of Apple’s iCloud Keychain feature, which stores passwords for various apps and services, according to the report. Without this protection, a thief could use the stolen device’s passcode to unlock the Keychain and access sensitive information, such as bank account credentials.

However, with Stolen Device Protection enabled, accessing passwords in the Keychain requires the user’s Face ID or Touch ID, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access this information, the report said.

In another recent development around the iPhone, it was reported Saturday (Dec. 9) that Apple has shuttered third-party apps that let Android and iPhone users communicate via iMessage.

The company said this move will protect user security and privacy.