iOS 26.4 will activate key theft prevention feature on all iPhones

Source: 9to5Mac

iOS 26.4 is the next major iPhone software release, and Apple plans to enable a key security feature by default in the update.

Stolen Device Protection will be on by default in iOS 26.4

In early 2024, Apple launched a new iOS feature called Stolen Device Protection. The theft‑prevention feature was optional for users, as it came with additional restrictions that might prove inconvenient for the average person.

But in iOS 26.4, according to MacRumors, Apple will turn Stolen Device Protection on by default for all users.

With Stolen Device Protection, some features and actions have additional security requirements when your iPhone is away from familiar locations such as home or work. These requirements help prevent someone who has stolen your iPhone and knows your passcode from making critical changes to your account or device.

• Face ID or Touch ID biometric authentication: Some actions such as accessing stored passwords and credit cards require a biometric authentication with Face ID or Touch ID — with no passcode alternative or fallback — so that only you can access these features.
• Security Delay: Some security actions such as changing your Apple Account password also require you to wait an hour and then perform an additional Face ID or Touch ID authentication.

Like most security features, there are trade‑offs. Apple’s stance on those trade‑offs appears to have shifted over time. With iOS 17.3 the feature was entirely opt‑in, so most users probably never tried it. Now, with iOS 26.4, it will be enabled automatically—though users can still disable it later.

Do you use Stolen Device Protection on your iPhone now, or will you start with iOS 26.4? Let us know in the comments.