On the heels of iOS 17.2 being launched to the general public yesterday, Apple has seeded builders with the primary iOS 17.3 beta. Notably, a model new safety characteristic is accessible to check with the replace referred to as Stolen Machine Safety for iPhone.

Earlier this yr, WSJ’s Joanna Stern investigated an increase in iPhone thefts in public locations like bars. The tactic often concerned attackers observing victims getting into their passcodes earlier than stealing their iPhones after which utilizing that to right away change their Apple ID password and lock the homeowners out of their accounts and even iCloud backups.

With iOS 17.3, Apple is debuting a intelligent answer to this uncommon however irritating menace: Stolen Machine Safety for iPhone.

How Stolen Machine Safety for iPhone works

Right here’s how Apple describes the brand new safety characteristic in iOS 17.3:

Testing is now out there for Stolen Machine Safety. This new characteristic provides an extra layer of safety within the unlikely case that somebody has stolen your telephone and in addition obtained your passcode.

• Accessing your saved passwords requires Face ID to make certain it’s you.
• Altering delicate settings like your Apple ID password is protected by a safety delay
• No delay is required when iPhone is at acquainted areas resembling dwelling and work

Apple has thoughtfully created a two-tier system of how Stolen Machine Safety works that provides a stability of user-friendliness whereas enhancing safety.

For instance, with the characteristic turned on, actions like utilizing passwords or passkeys, making use of for an Apple Card, turning off Misplaced Mode, erasing an iPhone, and utilizing fee strategies saved with an iPhone would require biometric authentication – no passcode fallback when away from acquainted areas.

However for much more delicate actions like altering your Apple ID password, updating Apple ID safety settings, altering passcode or Contact/Face ID settings, and turning off Discover My or Stolen Machine safety, the one-hour safety delay will come into play away from acquainted areas. Which means a second biometric authentication might be required after that delay.

How you can activate Stolen Machine Safety for iPhone

1. Be sure to’re working the iOS 17.3 beta in your iPhone.
2. Open the Settings app.
3. Swipe down and faucet Face ID & Passcode (or Contact ID & Passcode).
4. Now select Stolen Machine Safety.