The upcoming iPhone software release brings a highly anticipated feature that will be welcomed by all users: an additional layer of security designed to safeguard your phone in the event it is stolen by someone who possesses your passcode. This enhancement in security measures is eagerly awaited and couldn’t come soon enough.
The forthcoming software release, iOS 17.3, is on the horizon, barring any unforeseen bug-fix releases before its launch. As of my latest assessment, it is anticipated to roll out post-holidays, potentially around mid-January, specifically targeting either Tuesday, January 16 or Tuesday, January 23.
There’s a slight possibility of a delay into the following week, or a shift in the schedule if holiday festivities impede beta testing, with early February being a less likely alternative. Notably, the software is currently in the public beta phase, and one of the exciting new features it introduces is referred to as “Stolen Device Protection.” The upcoming iPhone
It’s bad enough that your iPhone could be stolen, but thieves who have got hold of your passcode, say by reading it over your shoulder in a bar, could do more. They could reset your passcode so only they can access it, swap their face into Face ID and then proceed to drain their bank accounts.
It’s a topic which has been covered in depth by Joanna Stern and Nicole Nguyen at The Wall Street Journal, including talking to a convicted iPhone thief about how he acted quickly to turn off Find My iPhone, so that the owner couldn’t find or erase the phone.