You need to turn on Apple's new stolen iPhone tool

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View in browser  |  Your newsletter preferences By Matt Burgess | 01.23.24 Yesterday, Apple launched a new tool for iPhones to help protect your data if your phone is stolen. The feature, called Stolen Device Protection, makes it much harder for thieves to change your passwords without your fingerprint or Face ID.    In London, a phone is stolen every six minutes. In some of the most extreme cases, crooks can also take the passcodes—forcibly, or by peering over someone's shoulder—and then steal a phone and unlock it. Social media accounts, passwords, and financial data can all be put at risk. Thankfully, it's easy to enable the new feature in iOS 17.3. Read on to see how, and make sure your loved ones activate it too. If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. You Need to Turn on Apple's New Stolen iPhone Tool Apple's iOS 17.3 introduces Stolen Device Protection to iPhones, which could stop phone thieves from taking over your accounts. Here's how to enable it right now. ADVERTISEMENT You Might Also Like How to Switch iPhones Without Losing a Thing Everything you need to know to successfully transfer your contacts, music, photos, and apps from one iOS device to another. How to Back Up Your Emails in Gmail, Outlook, and iCloud Yes, you should back up your most important emails. Here's how to do it, whether you use Google, Microsoft, or Apple. Are You Being Tracked by an AirTag? Here's How to Check If you're worried that one of Apple's trackers is following you without consent, try these tips. You're Not Stringer Bell, but You May Still Need a Burner Phone Prepaid phones are looking good as privacy worries peak. GET WIRED Our Winter Sale is Officially live! Subscribe to WIRED for only $29.99 $5. That includes subscriber-only content like Steven Levy's Plaintext column, plus FREE WIRED stickers as a special bonus! Thanks for reading. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Sign up here. Plus, browse more newsletters from WIRED. You're receiving this email because you signed up for the Gadget Lab newsletter from WIRED.   Manage your preferences  |   View our Privacy Policy  |  Unsubscribe   Have questions or comments? Send us a message. Need help? Contact us.   Copyright © Condé Nast 2024. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.