With the release of the first developer beta of iOS 26.4 today, Apple has enabled ‘Stolen Device Protection’ by default if it was not already enabled by the user previously, as noted by MacRumors.
The feature, launched in early 2024 with iOS 17.3, secures your iPhone by adding an additional layer of security. With the feature enabled, certain actions, such as changing your iPhone passcode or Apple ID password, would trigger a security delay, which can be set to always or when away from a familiar location. Moreover, this feature, when enabled, will require Face ID or Touch ID authentication for accessing saved passwords and credit card details, as only a Passcode will not work.
According to Apple, “With Stolen Device Protection, if your iPhone is not in a familiar location, you must authenticate using Face ID or Touch ID before you can take certain actions, including the following:
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Use passwords or passkeys saved in Keychain
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Use payment methods saved in Safari (AutoFill)
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Turn off Lost Mode
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Open a locked app
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Erase all content and settings
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Apply for a new Apple Card
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View your Apple Card or Apple Cash virtual card number
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Take certain Apple Cash and Savings actions in Wallet (for example, Apple Cash or Savings transfers)
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Use your iPhone to set up a new device (for example, Quick Start)
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Set up or transfer an eSIM
With Stolen Device Protection, you may also be required to wait an hour before using your iPhone to make changes to critical security settings or your Apple Account. If your iPhone is not in a familiar location, you must authenticate using Face ID or Touch ID, wait for the security delay to end, then authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID again to update settings such as the following:
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Change your Apple Account password
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Sign out of your Apple Account
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Update Apple Account security settings (such as adding or removing a trusted device, Recovery Key or Recovery Contact)
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Add or remove Face ID or Touch ID
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Change your passcode
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Reset All Settings
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Enrol in Mobile Device Management
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Turn off Stolen Device Protection”
Initially, iOS 26.4 was expected to launch with the new revamped Siri with deeper app controls and more. However, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman recently reported that the revamp is facing delays again after internal testing, with key features now expected to slip to iOS 26.5 or even iOS 27.
We can expect the second beta of iOS 26.4 to be released after two weeks. Users who are registered as a developer on www.developer.apple.com can opt in to receive beta updates by going into Settings>General>Software Update>Beta Updates and selecting Developer Beta.
Do note that these versions are not stable and are meant for testing purposes. How excited are you about these upcoming software updates with useful new features? Let us know down in the comments or write to us on @appleosophy! Be sure to download the Appleosophy App from the App Store or visit our website to stay updated with the latest Apple news!
