Other Do you use Erase data after 10 failed passcode attempts?

[Cunir]

I've currently got my phone set to erase data after ten failed passcode attempts, but now I'm thinking that it's actually a terrible idea, because if a thief deliberately fails ten times then he's basically got a factory reset phone which he can log in to as if it's brand new.
I was stupidly under the impression that all the messages, photos and everything else would be wiped, but the phone would still be locked and visible through FindMy.
Does anyone use it, and are there any benefits that I'm missing?

 

[aihpcfl]

The data has always been more important, in my opinion, going all the way back to the BlackBerry days. In comparison to everything that is on a modern smartphone nowadays, I think this is even more true now. That setting furthers the protection I desire and I would not consider turning it off.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I have the feature enabled.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

He doesn’t have a factory reset device, it is wiped of your data and FMI is in place. Where did you hear otherwise??

 

[Just_Kevin]

The data is erased from the device, but the backup (assuming enabled) is still in iCloud, correct?

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

The data is erased from the device, but the backup (assuming enabled) is still in iCloud, correct?

Of course

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Even if the unauthorized user inputs ten incorrect passwords and the device is wiped, iCloud lock is still in place because you never logged out of FMI. If they restore the phone it will be unusable except maybe for parts.. I use it on all devices.

 

[russell_314]

Yes I use it.

Benefits are it makes guessing your PIN more difficult

It erases the on device data. Your data should always be backed up. By default iCloud will backup everything on your device.

It doesn’t remove activation lock. That would make it too easy for thieves

 

[NoBoMac]

He doesn’t have a factory reset device, it is wiped of your data and FMI is in place. Where did you hear otherwise??

Even if the unauthorized user inputs ten incorrect passwords and the device is wiped, iCloud lock is still in place because you never logged out of FMI. If they restore the phone it will be unusable except maybe for parts..

It doesn’t remove activation lock. That would make it too easy for thieves

These.

And even without erase set, bad guy can erase after 10 attempts (Forgot Password/iPhone Reset). Happened to an elderly relative of mine that has Parkinsons and locked themself out of their phone due to vision and motor control, even without erase turned on. And I then needed their (husband and wife) good secure devices to approve restore steps. Aka FMI, activation lock, etc.

(And yes, I have it on as well)

 

[doolar]

A no-brainer IMO, there are very few instances where it would be disadvantageous for the owner.

 

[contacos]

Been enabled since my very first iPhone but I don’t have kids. That could cause a problem I guess

 

[TechnoMonk]

I use remote wipe, works well. And even if the data is erased on 10 failed attempts or remote wipe, the device is still iCloud account locked. It’s a brick that is sold for parts.

 

[ignatius345]

I've currently got my phone set to erase data after ten failed passcode attempts,

Not with a 5 year-old in the house, thank you very much

 

[GusBougadis]

I have it enabled on my iPhone and Apple Watch. I have 3 credit cards 💳 on both, so, for sure I want my devices wiped. I enabled stolen device protection also.

 

[russell_314]

I enabled stolen device protection also.

That’s a really important one to enable. IMO it should be on by default but Apple probably doesn’t want to deal with the tech support issues.

Just make sure to disable it at home before going to trade in your iPhone. Nothing more fun than waiting two hours at the store for it to deactivate.

 

[antiprotest]

Activation lock.

 

[GusBougadis]

That’s a really important one to enable. IMO it should be on by default but Apple probably doesn’t want to deal with the tech support issues.

Just make sure to disable it at home before going to trade in your iPhone. Nothing more fun than waiting two hours at the store for it to deactivate.

👍 yeah it requires Face ID to turn it off before factory reset.

 

[russell_314]

👍 yeah it requires Face ID to turn it off before factory reset.

There’s also a delay if you’re away from what it considers a familiar location. It looks like it’s only one hour but I think it used to be two hours. It’s possible my memory is incorrect about the time though.

 

[surferfb]

Not with a 5 year-old in the house, thank you very much

I have a three year old who has been known to steal iPhones, so completely understand your concern, but they do introduce a “waiting period” before you can enter the password again.

• 6 incorrect attempts: iPhone is disabled for 1 minute
• 7 incorrect attempts: iPhone is disabled for 5 minutes
• 8 incorrect attempts: iPhone is disabled for 15 minutes
• 9 incorrect attempts: iPhone is disabled for 1 hour
• 10 incorrect attempts: iPhone is permanently disabled, and you must reset it using recovery mode. (Or phone is wiped, if that setting is enabled)

I suspect interest would be lost pretty quickly once the phone starts locking itself.

 

[TechnoMonk]

I have a three year old who has been known to steal iPhones, so completely understand your concern, but they do introduce a “waiting period” before you can enter the password again.

• 6 incorrect attempts: iPhone is disabled for 1 minute
• 7 incorrect attempts: iPhone is disabled for 5 minutes
• 8 incorrect attempts: iPhone is disabled for 15 minutes
• 9 incorrect attempts: iPhone is disabled for 1 hour
• 10 incorrect attempts: iPhone is permanently disabled, and you must reset it using recovery mode. (Or phone is wiped, if that setting is enabled)

I suspect interest would be lost pretty quickly once the phone starts locking itself.

That’s is exactly why I prefer and use remote wipe.

 

[ignatius345]

I have a three year old who has been known to steal iPhones, so completely understand your concern, but they do introduce a “waiting period” before you can enter the password again.

• 6 incorrect attempts: iPhone is disabled for 1 minute
• 7 incorrect attempts: iPhone is disabled for 5 minutes
• 8 incorrect attempts: iPhone is disabled for 15 minutes
• 9 incorrect attempts: iPhone is disabled for 1 hour
• 10 incorrect attempts: iPhone is permanently disabled, and you must reset it using recovery mode. (Or phone is wiped, if that setting is enabled)

I suspect interest would be lost pretty quickly once the phone starts locking itself.

Good point, I had forgotten about the escalating waiting periods.

 

[Rainshadow]

I've currently got my phone set to erase data after ten failed passcode attempts, but now I'm thinking that it's actually a terrible idea, because if a thief deliberately fails ten times then he's basically got a factory reset phone which he can log in to as if it's brand new.
I was stupidly under the impression that all the messages, photos and everything else would be wiped, but the phone would still be locked and visible through FindMy.
Does anyone use it, and are there any benefits that I'm missing?

Funny. For those of us techy folks though, this makes more sense. I’ve had two friends despise the feature.

One woman - on her wedding day - (no idea how) forgot her password and entered the wrong password too many times. Wiped the phone and reset etc etc etc. it was a disaster. Of course she lambasted apple on how stupid the feature was. Swore Apple off forever.

I didn’t argue with the woman in the moment, but when her husband complained weeks later I explained she needed to turn that feature on and explained what the feature was for.

Some people really don’t ever think about this stuff. Or - somehow - forget a 4 digit number code AND somehow don’t use faceID.

Doesn’t make sense to me either. But different strokes…

 

[v0lume4]

I have a three year old who has been known to steal iPhones, so completely understand your concern, but they do introduce a “waiting period” before you can enter the password again.

• 6 incorrect attempts: iPhone is disabled for 1 minute
• 7 incorrect attempts: iPhone is disabled for 5 minutes
• 8 incorrect attempts: iPhone is disabled for 15 minutes
• 9 incorrect attempts: iPhone is disabled for 1 hour
• 10 incorrect attempts: iPhone is permanently disabled, and you must reset it using recovery mode. (Or phone is wiped, if that setting is enabled)

I suspect interest would be lost pretty quickly once the phone starts locking itself.

Yeah, something like this is why I have it turned OFF. Just don’t want to leave anything up to chance.

 

[zach-coleman]

That’s a really important one to enable. IMO it should be on by default but Apple probably doesn’t want to deal with the tech support issues.

Just make sure to disable it at home before going to trade in your iPhone. Nothing more fun than waiting two hours at the store for it to deactivate.

When you set up a new device it now prompts you to enable it with the suggested response being to have it on. I feel like this will cause endless nightmares for customer service at the stores but it’s arguably worth it, I suppose.

 

[cjsuk]

Not with a 5 year-old in the house, thank you very much

Yeah I remember when I had a windows phone...