Apple Seeds First Public Beta of iOS 17.3 With Stolen Device Protection

[MacRumors]

Apple today seeded the first betas of upcoming iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3 updates to public beta testers, allowing non-developers to test the software ahead of its release. The public iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3 betas come two days after Apple released the betas for developers.

Public beta testers can get the beta by opening up the Settings app, going to the Software Update section, tapping on the "Beta Updates" option, and toggling on the iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 Public Beta. Signing up on Apple's beta testing website is required.

iOS 17.3 includes Stolen Device Protection, a feature that offers an extra layer of security in case your iPhone is stolen and the thief also obtains your passcode. With this turned on, Face ID or Touch ID authentication is required for viewing iCloud Keychain passwords, turning off Lost Mode, erasing an iPhone's contents, using saved payment methods in Safari, and more. There is no passcode entry option should Face ID or Touch ID fail.

Certain actions, such as changing an Apple ID password, updating a device passcode, turning off Find My, and removing Face ID require authentication and also a one-hour security delay.

The update also adds collaborative Apple Music playlists, a feature that lets Apple Music subscribers build playlists with friends, family members, and others who share their musical tastes. Any playlist can be turned into a collaborative playlist by tapping on the person-shaped icon and sharing the link.

Those who want to try it out in iOS 17.3 can click on the MacRumors playlist link to try adding a song.

We are expecting iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3 to be released in January 2024.

Article Link: Apple Seeds First Public Beta of iOS 17.3 With Stolen Device Protection

 

[CharlesShaw]

This is the first time I’ve ever been tempted to be a public beta tester.

 

[dugbug]

I thought the face id/one hour delay on those security changes only take place if the device is not in a 'frequent location' like home

 

[Eldaerenth Faexidor]

Yay, was waiting for this release! 🚀

 

[ypl]

First beta since a few years, because ... Stolen Data Protection.

 

[noSpeed]

This should fall under their "rapid security response" update or whatever they call it. Glad they're addressing the issue in a reasonably timely manner though.

 

[Octavius8]

Bluetooth audio problem solved finally?

 

[CharlesShaw]

This should fall under their "rapid security response" update or whatever they call it. Glad they're addressing the issue in a reasonably timely manner though.

I wasn’t expecting a solution from Apple this soon, but I‘m thinking it will be an opt-in setting for a while.

 

[antiprotest]

Bluetooth audio problem solved finally?

I have bluetooth audio issues on my Mac, but not on iPhone and iPad.

Often when my bluetooth headphones connect to my Mac the audio would crack and lag to the point of being unusable. I have to toggle bluetooth off and on, and then reconnect all the devices, then audio would work properly.

What's the problem you are having?

 

[SSSH_ASS]

Someone will get into some accident where their face is damaged enough that Face ID fails then what?

 

[antiprotest]

They should add the option to toggle on/off FaceID check for each app after the phone has been unlocked when not at home.

There are apps that I don't want people getting into in the case where it is snatched while I am using the phone unlocked outside of my home -- such as banking apps, or even emails and messages, but not things like games and weather.

I would not want the slight delay for FaceID when the phone is safe at home, but I would like to have a master switch that automatically locks the apps that I have chosen to protect when I am not at home, and a manual switch in control center.

 

[knuta]

Someone will get into some accident where their face is damaged enough that Face ID fails then what?

all u need is to dial 999

 

[SSSH_ASS]

all u need is to dial 999

Right ...

 

[stephanjp]

I thought the face id/one hour delay on those security changes only take place if the device is not in a 'frequent location' like home

Yes. You are correct.

 

[sea800]

I had installed the prior developer beta of 14.3. A studio display is blank since then as if not powered. There was no visible anomaly during the update. Of course it can be hardware but the time proximity is just too close.

What's concerning though is that despite under warranty a post-Jobs Genius Apple could again not give meaningful phone support (asked if she has a technical background, the first lady picking up the phone said she does not have to be tech in meaning), a service partner is asking about 100 or so to flash it back to life.

edited oops that was for MacOS

 

[zach-coleman]

They should add the option to toggle on/off FaceID check for each app after the phone has been unlocked when not at home.

There are apps that I don't want people getting into in the case where it is snatched while I am using the phone unlocked outside of my home -- such as banking apps, or even emails and messages, but not things like games and weather.

I would not want the slight delay for FaceID when the phone is safe at home, but I would like to have a master switch that automatically locks the apps that I have chosen to protect when I am not at home, and a manual switch in control center.

I've gotta hand it to Samsung here, they've had this for years. It feels like a really common sense feature, especially since they throw privacy and security around so often.

 

[antiprotest]

Someone will get into some accident where their face is damaged enough that Face ID fails then what?

A person can also get into an accident and damage his brain and forgets his passcode.

An asteroid can also fall and hit the person, rendering the passcode, face, and fingerprint irrelevant, even if the phone survives.

 

[SSSH_ASS]

A person can also get into an accident and damage his brain and forgets his passcode.

An asteroid can also fall and hit the person, rendering the passcode, face, and fingerprint irrelevant, even if the phone survives.

Not to mention he can also lose his hands and feet making forgotten password very small issue on his questionably concussed head.

 

[CharlesShaw]

Someone will get into some accident where their face is damaged enough that Face ID fails then what?

Or perhaps it wasn’t an accident, but elective cosmetic surgery. Either way, their phone will still function as usual with the passcode, but in order to perform the restricted functions they’ll need to follow whatever procedure(s) Apple has decided (or will decide) to implement, likely using iCloud on another device, but we’ll all know soon enough.

 

[rictus007]

Someone will get into some accident where their face is damaged enough that Face ID fails then what?

I guess you can use other device to access your info or turn off Face ID and wait one hour.

 

[Eldaerenth Faexidor]

Someone will get into some accident where their face is damaged enough that Face ID fails then what?

Consult a plastic surgeon?

 

[roncron]

Beta 2 probably won’t be available for 4 weeks, something to keep in mind before deciding to install a beta 1 on your daily driver.

 

[bniu]

Why this isn’t on iPad OS too?

 

[Robert.Walter]

This is the first time I’ve ever been tempted to be a public beta tester.

We always join with like the 5th beta before the annual release then stay with it.

Advantage is the betas have the security fixes before the point or dot updates do.

I suppose auto update installs the beta updates but don’t know because I do it manually after I see an update has dropped.

 

[Robert.Walter]

Someone will get into some accident where their face is damaged enough that Face ID fails then what?

True. Invisible man or that guy who became a fly gonna be big mad.