Apple introduces automatic theft protection and new guidance for stolen iPhones

Apple has refreshed its support documentation on stolen iPhones, warning users not to display personal contact information on the lock screen and to keep the device linked to the Find My network. The guidance advises marking the phone as lost immediately, contacting the carrier and police, and delaying remote erasure until recovery is deemed impossible.

Alongside the updated guidance, Apple released iOS 26.4.1, which automatically enables the new theft‑protection mode without user intervention. Previously, users had to turn this feature on manually. The update also stresses avoiding social‑engineering scams that exploit displayed contact details.

Security researchers highlighted a hardware vulnerability, usbliter8, affecting iPhones with A12 and A13 chips (e.g., iPhone XS, XR, 11) that cannot be patched via software. Devices with newer A14 chips and later are not susceptible. Additionally, newer iPhone models can be located even when powered off or with an empty battery, using Bluetooth Low Energy and Ultra‑Wideband signals.