4 iPhone security features you might not know about

Apple^[1]‘s iPhone 17 launched worldwide earlier today with the usual raft of updates to its hardware. While folks are excited about the new tools, you might not realize that your existing iPhone has some useful and security-boosting features that you should be using.

We’ve rounded up four of the most useful iPhone security features that’ll keep your data secure, boost your online privacy, and even help you locate your phone if it’s lost or stolen.

1. Hidden folders

The hidden folder feature does exactly what it says on the tin. It allows you to hide photos, videos, and apps so that they’re only accessible through Face ID, Touch ID, or by using your passcode.

This means that anyone looking through your phone won’t see anything that you’ve chosen to hide in these sensitive folders. Hidden apps are locked by default, and the hidden album removes photos and videos from your regular album, so they’re only accessible after you provide further details to prove your identity.

The only limitation to this feature is that children under 13 who are part of a Family Sharing group^[2] are not able to lock or hide apps. Anyone aged 13 to 17 in a Family Sharing group can lock or hide an app, but a parent or guardian in the group will still be able to see that the app was downloaded and how often it’s been used.

2. Stolen device protection

Stolen Device Protection is a feature available on any iPhone running iOS 17.3 or later and requires that you have two-factor authentication^[3] activated on your account.

It adds an extra layer of security when your iPhone is away from specific locations like your home or workplace, such as when you’re working or traveling abroad. Stolen Device Protection helps keep your account details and personal information safe if you lose or have your iPhone stolen. It does this by adding additional authentication requirements to ensure only the right person can access this data.

Accessing sensitive information like stored passwords or saved credit card details requires Touch or Face ID authentication, and a security delay is added to other important actions like changing the password for your Apple Account, requiring you to wait an hour and then verify your ID for a second time through Touch or Face ID.

3. Lockdown mode

Lockdown mode is available on any iPhone running iOS 16 onward. It’s a more drastic feature that’s designed to combat targeted, high-level cybersecurity attacks by severely limiting your phone’s functionality.

Apps, websites, and many other features are limited for security, and some functionality is completely disabled, such as SharePlay, Shared Albums, and FaceTime Live Photos. Other limitations include blocking various web technologies, preventing the ability to connect to open Wi-Fi hotspots, and blocking incoming FaceTime calls.

Most people will never have to worry about this type of targeted attack, but lockdown mode is useful for people who work in jobs that might attract the attention of malicious actors. This can include journalists, privacy advocates, and whistleblowers.

4. Erase data failsafe

This could be seen as a nuclear option, but if you’re really worried about keeping data on your iPhone safe, this is a feature to consider.

When you set a passcode on your iPhone, you also have the choice of enabling the Erase Data option. This means that after ten failed login attempts, your phone will be automatically wiped of all data and you’ll have to restore your device from a backup^[4]. You were keeping backups, right? If not, then you’ll need to set it up like a brand new device and start again from scratch.

This feature is especially useful in defeating brute force attacks^[5]. Whoever has your phone has no way of knowing if you have this feature set until your iPhone resets itself. So if security is your primary concern, this is one you might want to make sure you enable.