La first beta iOS 17.3 for developers is now available and with it begins a new cycle of updates over the coming weeks. We are still enjoying the new features of iOS 17.2, but we also have time to break down what's new in this first beta. One of the star features of iOS 17.3 is going to be a new theft protection system designed to increase user security against theft of devices in which Identification through Face ID or Touch ID is more important than ever. We tell you everything below.
Protect key iOS features with the new iOS 17.3 protection system
Surely many of us know people or even ourselves have witnessed theft of any device. The current security of iOS and the rest of the operating systems is high but it can be overcome as long as we have a password in addition to Face ID and Touch ID. The thief can steal our device and if he knows the password, he can bypass the biometric identification and access the inside of our device. This will change in iOS 17.3 with the addition of theft protection system.
This system has been devised by Apple and tested in the first beta for developers of iOS 17.3 and consists of Once inside the unlocked device, when performing certain actions, identification with Face ID or Touch ID will be requested to ensure that the person in front of the device is truly its owner. That is, if this new protection system is activated, the user will need to identify themselves once inside the unlocked device to access the following options:
- View/use passwords or passcodes saved in iCloud Keychain
- Request a new Apple Card
- View a virtual Apple Card
- Disable Lost Mode
- Clear all content and settings
- Perform certain Apple Cash actions in Wallet
- Use saved payment methods in Safari
- Use your iPhone to set up a new device
More security even for specific actions
Furthermore, Apple has come up with a new concept and applies a one-hour delay to certain actions within iOS if The device is not connected or located in a known location. That is, if I have certain locations configured as known and someone is trying to change my Apple ID password in a different place, Apple will delay that action for an hour and then request biometric authentication once again.
These actions that are applied delayed have to do above all with vital security elements for the user: deactivate the theft protection system, deactivate the Search app, add or delete Touch ID and Face ID, update Apple ID elements (phone, payment method, etc.), change the iPhone password or change the Apple ID password.
Clearly This theft protection system increases user security against thieves who, even if they manage to access the device, could do little without our face or our fingerprint. We will see if Apple is convinced by the system and launches it definitively or if, on the contrary, they want to wait for iOS 17.4.