Secure Your iPhone In 5 Simple Steps

Your iPhone houses your entire digital existence - from cherished photographs and private messages to sensitive banking information and beyond. Whilst Apple's iPhone with the latest iOS offers impressive built-in security, it's not simply a "set and forget" arrangement. To properly shield your digital life from criminals, I recommend taking several straightforward measures. None of these steps are intrusive and shouldn't hamper your user experience.

Here's my recommended approach to securing your iPhone:

• 1️⃣ Establish a robust passcode (minimum 8 alphanumeric characters)
• 2️⃣ Set up Face ID for convenient yet secure access
• 3️⃣ Fortify your lock screen by restricting what's accessible when locked
• 4️⃣ Protect critical applications by requiring Face ID to open them
• 5️⃣ Activate Stolen Device Protection to prevent thieves from accessing your data

These straightforward measures could save you from potential catastrophe should your device fall into the wrong hands.

Additionally, safeguard your Apple Account by implementing multi-factor authentication and employing a unique password for your Apple account!

1. Setup a complex passcode and enable device wipe feature

The original iPhone operating system defaulted to a mere 4-digit numeric passcode. Apple eventually improved this, upgrading the default to 6 numeric digits. However, best practice security demands setting an alphanumeric password of at least 8 characters in length. A robust passcode becomes your critical line of defence when:

• You power on or restart your iPhone
• Your iPhone has remained unlocked for over 48 hours
• You haven't unlocked your device with the passcode in the last 6.5 days and haven't used Face ID to unlock it in the past 4 hours
• After failed Face ID authentication attempts
• Following an initiated Emergency SOS attempt
• After someone attempts to view your Medical ID information

To configure your passcode, simply open the Settings application and scroll down to "Face ID & Passcode" (or "Touch ID & Passcode" on devices equipped with Touch ID).

Apple Support page: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/iphone/iph14a867ae/ios

1.1 Enable Data Wipe After Failed Passcode Attempts

You should also activate the option to erase the device after 10 unsuccessful passcode attempts. Do note that this security feature is not switched on by default. No need to fret about this being triggered accidentally. Your iPhone will introduce escalating time delays after first 5 unsuccessful attempts, as shown in the screenshot below.

The increasing time delays after failed passcode attempts make it extremely difficult to actually reach the 10-attempt threshold that triggers the wipe. Here's how those delays progress:

• After 5 failed attempts: 1 minute lockout
• After 6 failed attempts: 5 minute lockout
• After 7 failed attempts: 15 minute lockout
• After 8 failed attempts: 15 minute lockout
• After 9 failed attempts: 1 hour lockout

By the time someone reaches 9 failed attempts, they're facing a full hour delay before they can try again. This means reaching 10 attempts would require extraordinary patience and determination.

This design is quite intentional - it provides robust protection against both accidental wipes and brute force attacks. Someone would need to:

1. Make 5 incorrect guesses
2. Wait through escalating delays totalling over 1.5 hours
3. Still have the phone in their possession
4. Make that final 10^th incorrect guess

So while the "erase after 10 attempts" feature provides valuable ultimate protection, the time delay system is actually doing the heavy lifting in preventing unauthorised access long before the wipe would occur.

2. Configure Face ID for convenient yet secure access

Your iPhone's Face ID is like having a brilliant digital doorman who instantly recognises your face. It's quick, it's handy, and it uses cutting-edge technology that you should take advantage of whenever possible.

Be sure to turn on the "Require Attention" setting for Face ID. This clever feature makes sure your eyes are open and looking at the screen, which stops criminals from simply holding up your photo to trick your iPhone - something that can happen with certain Android phones!

Another top tip is to set your "Require Passcode" option to "Immediately." This means your iPhone locks the moment the screen goes dark, rather than staying unlocked for a period of time - it's like making sure your front door locks automatically when it closes.

To set these Face ID settings, just go into your Settings app and scroll down until you find "Face ID & Passcode."

Apple Support page: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/iphone/iph6d162927a/ios

3. Secure your lock screen by limiting what's accessible when locked

Think of your locked iPhone like a house with windows. Even when your front door is locked, someone peering through the windows can still see and access certain things from outside. That's rather like your lock screen—it's the view of your iPhone that anyone can see without unlocking it.

By default, your iPhone allows quite a few actions from this locked state: checking notifications, using Wallet for payments, interacting with Home devices, or even asking Siri questions. It's like leaving several small hatches open in your otherwise secure front door.

Here's how to bolt those hatches shut: Go to your iPhone Settings, find Face ID & Passcode, and scroll down to the section called "Allow Access When Locked." Here you'll see a list of features that can be accessed without unlocking your phone:

• Today View and Search: Shows your widgets and allows searching
• Notification Centre: Displays your notifications
• Control Centre: Gives access to quick settings
• Siri: Allows voice commands
• Reply with Message: Lets people reply to messages without unlocking
• Home Control: Controls smart home devices
• Wallet: Allows payment cards to be used
• Return Missed Calls: Lets people call back missed calls
• Accessories: Allows accessories to connect when locked

For proper security, it's wise to toggle off at least Siri, Home Control, Wallet and Accessories. These are the features that could potentially allow someone to spend your money, control your home, or gather information by asking Siri questions.

The beauty of this setup is that you're not disabling these features entirely—you're simply requiring your face or passcode before they can be used, which takes just a moment when it's actually you. It's like having a proper security system where only the rightful owner has the keys to access the important bits, rather than leaving them available to anyone who happens to pick up your phone.

As Face ID is secure and fast, you should restrict what actions can someone else do with your iPhone when it is locked and cannot authenticate using Face ID. I recommend at very least to disable Siri, Home, Wallet and Accessories. See the screenshot below.

4. Secure your critical Apps by using AppLock with FaceID

Imagine your iPhone is a house with many rooms (apps). Normally, once you unlock the front door (your phone), you can wander into any room without additional keys. But what if you want certain rooms to be private, even from people who might borrow your unlocked phone? That's what App Lock does. It lets you put extra locks on specific apps, requiring Face ID (or Touch ID) to open them—even when your phone is already unlocked.

Here's how it works: When you set up App Lock for an app, it's like putting a special lock on that room in your house. Now, even if someone has your unlocked phone (perhaps you've handed it to them to make a call), they can't simply pop into your private apps without your face or fingerprint.

You can lock practically any app you want: banking apps, photos, messages, social media—whatever you'd prefer to keep private. The clever bit is that it's perfectly flexible. You decide exactly which apps need this extra layer of security. Your everyday apps can remain easily accessible, while your more sensitive ones get the extra protection.

It's particularly handy for those moments when you hand your phone to a mate to look at something, but don't want them accidentally wandering into your personal messages or banking details.

And it all works seamlessly with the Face ID you already use, just adding an extra checkpoint for the apps you've chosen to protect.

5. Enable Stolen Device Protection to prevent thieves from accessing your data

Imagine your iPhone is like your house. Normally, you can get in with just your key (your passcode). But what if someone pinches your phone and somehow knows your passcode? They'd have access to everything! Stolen Device Protection is like adding extra security locks that only work when you're away from familiar places.

Here's how it works: When you're out and about (away from home, work, or other trusted locations), your iPhone requires not just your passcode, but also your face or fingerprint for activities like:

• Changing your Apple ID password
• Looking at your saved passwords
• Turning off Find My iPhone
• Using your saved payment cards

For really sensitive changes, like resetting your entire phone, there's even a clever delay system. You have to:

1. Scan your face/fingerprint
2. Wait an hour
3. Scan your face/fingerprint again

This hour-long waiting period gives you time to mark your phone as lost if it's been nicked. The brilliant bit? All these extra security measures happen automatically when you're away from places you regularly visit, because that's when your phone is most likely to be stolen. It's a bit like your home having standard locks during the day when you're around, but automatically adding extra deadbolts and alarms at night or when you're on holiday.

Conclusion

Securing your iPhone doesn't require technical expertise or sacrifice of convenience. By implementing these five straightforward steps, you've significantly bolstered your digital security against potential threats.

Your iPhone now has multiple layers of protection:

• A strong alphanumeric passcode forms your primary defence
• Face ID provides quick yet secure access for daily use
• Your lock screen is fortified against unauthorised access
• Critical apps have their own additional security layer
• Stolen Device Protection shields you when you're most vulnerable

Remember that digital security is not a one-time task but an ongoing practice. As Apple continues to enhance iOS security features, it's worth periodically reviewing your settings to ensure you're taking advantage of the latest protections.

By taking these simple precautions today, you've dramatically reduced the risk of unauthorised access to your digital life. Your photos, messages, banking details, and personal information are now properly safeguarded—giving you both security and peace of mind.

Get in Touch

Have questions about iPhone security or need personalised advice? I'm here to help! Feel free to contact me through my website, social media channels, or email. Whether you're facing specific security challenges or simply want to learn more about protecting your digital life, I'd be delighted to assist. Your digital security matters, and I'm committed to helping you stay safe in an increasingly complex digital world.