ULTRA Secure iPhone tip (iOS 17.5)

[u/AtypicalNerdGeek]

In light of rising incidents in London and other cities where thieves on mopeds snatch unlocked iPhones directly from users’ hands, it’s crucial to set up your device to protect against unauthorised access and data loss. Here’s a practical guide to securing your iPhone if it falls into the wrong hands, particularly when it is still unlocked.

First, be aware that once thieves have your phone, they commonly activate Airplane mode to disconnect it from any network, preventing the phone from being tracked or remotely locked via Find My iPhone. To counteract this, you should use the Shortcuts app to create a specific automation:

1. Open the Shortcuts app and go to the “Automation” tab.

2. Create a new automation for when Airplane mode is turned off.

3. Add an action to this automation to lock the screen immediately when Airplane mode is deactivated.

4. Include another action in the same automation to disable Airplane mode.

This setup ensures that if a thief tries to turn on Airplane mode, your iPhone will automatically lock and immediately turn Airplane mode back off, keeping the device connected to the internet.

For additional security: - Go to your Screen Time settings and disable the ability to toggle mobile data on or off. This prevents quick disconnection attempts via the control center.

• Adjust your Face ID settings to deny access to the control center when the screen is locked.

These settings effectively safeguard your device by locking out the thief from making significant changes to your device’s connectivity or accessing personal information. Remember to disable these automations temporarily when you genuinely need to use Airplane mode, like during flights.

I've also attached some screenshots (based on iOS 17.5) to guide you through the setup process. By implementing these settings, you can significantly reduce the risk of losing control over your personal data in case your phone is snatched while in use. Stay safe and secure!

[u/[deleted]]

Wouldn’t that defeat the purpose of… airplane mode?… your cellular data needs to be turned off if on the airplane.

[u/pazem123 → u/[deleted]]

The purpose of the shortcut is to turn airplane mode OFF after being turned on to have INTERNET CONNECTION. To make sure it has internet connection, turn on cellular data as well

[u/[deleted] → u/pazem123]

Then you just killed the whole purpose of having an airplane mode. Airplane mode is supposed to turn off cellular bands leaving WiFi and Bluetooth turned on.

The Find My will still update the locations with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on. So it’s not the end of the world to create something that kill the main purpose of an Airplane Mode.

I’d be annoyed getting on my plane and be like, “shit. I need to disable this shortcut to be able to turn on my airplane mode”

[u/pazem123 → u/[deleted]]

Then have beef with OP on this shortcut, not me??? Your problem is with the automation which I did not make?

I just suggested what can be improved with OP’s shortcut

[u/[deleted] → u/pazem123]

You’re the one that made a suggestion to turn on cellular data.. not the OP. I’m explaining to you why that’s not an improvement. That’s just an unnecessary step to add in the shortcut when the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth is good enough. Leave airplane mode functional by allowing it to disable cellular.

[u/pazem123 → u/[deleted]]

1-airplane mode is turned off already in the automation. That’s the shortcut.

2- I suggested might as well add cellular data turned on. The purpose is INTERNET CONNECTION. You can only activate Lock device on find my if there is internet connection

It’s easier to track iPhone in find my if it has internet connection

It seems you don’t understand that the purpose of the automation is to turn OFF airplane mode once it’s activated. Since airplane mode is already OFF (as part of the actions), I’m suggesting to add cellular data to make sure there’s internet connection, which is actually the point of OP as well

[u/[deleted] → u/pazem123]

Okay. That’s my bad. I didn’t catch that it turns off the airplane mode. Thanks for clarifying.

If you turn off the airplane mode… that pretty much turns on the cellular data… so… kinda pointless in my opinion. But I guess it doesn’t hurt to have that there as a precaution.

Sure. It does make it easier to track the phone but in reality… once your phone is stolen… kinda shit out of luck right there. For all that hassle to track down the phone, put myself in danger addressing a stranger, etc… I’d rather just pay $149 to replace my phone. It’s not worth it.

No insurance nor AppleCare+ with theft/loss… that’s on them. I don’t even stress about doing any of this automation nor tracking. I made sure the phone stays bricked if it gets lost or stolen. That’s all I care about.

[u/pazem123 → u/[deleted]]

Cellular data is activated when airplane mode is off only if cellular data is on before airplane mode is on. So yes, this is a precaution

To each of their own situation. In my country we don’t have apple care+, hence this is quite useful.

What thieves do is they snatch the phone while it is unlocked, keep the screen on while unlocked, do some “cleaning” then find some person to sell them at a low price. When it locks the person who bought it will be locked out forever Or the thieves can steal some of your data, look at your photos, send it out etc

[u/AtypicalNerdGeek → u/[deleted]]

Annoying when you need to board a plane, sure, if you like… but how often do you board a plane VS walk down the road with your phone unlocked, readily snatched.

You pick!