iOS 17.4 brings a new option to the Stolen Device Protection feature to always require a security delay when attempting to change critical settings.
A new Require Security Delay section within the Stolen Device Protection settings offers two choices: Away From Familiar Locations, which is the default settings and how the feature has worked so far, and a new Always option.
iOS 17.4 also gives Stolen Device Protection a dedicated page in Settings → Face ID & Passcode where you can manage it. You’re recommended to set this feature to protect you at all times instead of just when away from safe locations.
Stolen Device Protection gets a new security delay setting
With the new Always setting turned on, “a delay will always be required to change security settings,” according to Apple’s description in the interface.
Apple introduced Stolen Device Protection in iOS 17.3 to thwart potentially devastating attacks where thieves steal a victim’s iPhone and use their passcode to lock them out of their Apple ID, turn off Find My and access their saved passwords.
But With Stolen Device Protection turned on, biometric authentication is required instead of just a passcode when making changes to your Apple ID account or device.
Additionally, critical actions such as changing your Apple ID password require you to wait an hour and then perform a second biometric authentication.
In iOS 17.3, this delay activates when away from familiar locations like home, work or places where you regularly use your iPhone, listed under Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services > Significant Locations.
Everyone should turn on Stolen Device Protection
Before iOS 17.4, you couldn’t always force a security delay. Apple’s now addresses this oversight and we have The Wall Street Journal‘s Joana Stern to thank for that.
Remember that the Stolen Device Protection feature can only save you if you turn it on before your iPhone is lost or stolen. To learn more about  it, peruse Apple’s support document titled “About Stolen Device Protection for iPhone.” iOS 17.4, along with other Apple updates, will be launched to the public in March.