How can I turn off Stolen Device Protection?

I toggled on the Stolen Device Protection feature on my iPhone and was scared cos I couldn’t get turn it off by then I went to settings > Face ID and passcode > stolen device protection and then clicked it and was told cos I turned it on I had to wait for an hour for me to be able to turn it off and I did wait for an hour and immediately the countdown reached zero it automatically asked me for my Face ID and it turned off. So don’t be scared guys, you just have to wait for the countdown to reach zero and it will be sorted.

You will need to turn OFF Stolen Device Protection.

Open Settings ➡️ Face ID & Passcode ➡️ (Enter your Passcode) ➡️ Stolen Device Protection: Set this switch to OFF.

Axel F.

It’s explained here:

About Stolen Device Protection for iPhone - Apple Support

The notification will come in Lock Screen.

I have one iPhone 11pro that has not been used for some time (at least no phone number) which I want to trade in. Had the same issue signing off AppleID. It says stolen device protection is on and needs 1 hour delay and I will get notification when it is done. But never got notification after 2 hours. Going back to the same cycle, waited till second morning, still no notification and not allowed me to change/sign out. It started 1 hour delay again.

I then tested on my iphone13 pro that I am actively using. I turned the Stolen Device Protection from “away from home” to “always” and then wanted to change back. It said I need to wait for 1 hour. After 1 hour, I got notification on the Lock Screen and saying I can make change now. Then I can turn off Stolen Device protection. So now I knew where to look for notification. The notification on the Lock Screen says

“Time sensitive, Security Delay Ended. You can continue with Settings. After 1 hour, a new security delay will be required to make changes”

I went back to my iPhone 11 Pro, make sure the location service is on, find my iPhone is on, and location service is active for finding my iPhone. Then try to turn it off, it asked passcode in FaceID and passcode, then I uncheck the “stolen device protection”. It scanned my face and then started 1 hour delay. This time, after 1 hour, I see the notification on the Lock Screen and was able to go into Settings->FaceID and Passcode->Stolen device protection, and turn it off (still it scanned my face one more time). I don’t know why it did not allow me to do for first 3 times. Maybe because my iPhone 11pro was not active for sometime and it says not in a familiar place even though I was at home. The overnight one could be missed because it only unlocked me for 1 hour but I did not know. So you can not wait for too long or too short. You must act within 1-2 hours if you see the notification at all. Yes. It is absolutely ridiculous.

It works. After the 1-hour delay immediately access Face ID&Passcode>to turn off Stolen Device Protection. Do it as soon as the 1-hour is up. Don’t wait too long. Originally I waited then nothing but this time round I timed the 1-hour and I turned it off never to turn it on again.

Hi, I had the same problem what I did is just wait to get a notification when the timer is over and only then you can turn it off. And you have to be at home! I hope it helps❤️

Ok as part of implementing Stolen Device Protection, Apple has enhanced Location Serviceds with "Significant Locations". If this is not set up then the iPhone thinks you're not at a relevant location for the Stolen Device Protection process.

You can set up Significant Locations here...

Significant Locations is an option within Location Services: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services > Significant Locations.

Once set up and bedded in (it has to learn what is significant to you - which probably requires Location Services to be enabled at all times) it shouldn't activate the Stolen Device protocol when you try to do soemthing that is "protected".

Would have been nice if Apple had publicised that this service required more than just turning on for it to work "properly" and not think that you've stolen your own device.

So set up Significant locations and leave on Stoeln Device Protection and you should get the best of both worlds (no agravating 1 hour wait, but increased security for your phone should it be stolen).

Follow these steps in this video:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oIMj1ZxaAfI

After the long one hour wait, you can go in and turn it off. But you only have one hour, I think, before the security delay is back on again. I was able to finally turn mine off.

Did you wait until you got the system notification that you “Can now turn off Stolen Device Protection” ?

(or some similar verbiage)

So wait your hour, receive the system notification, and turn the feature “off.”

I went through it too u have to call apple they’ll walk u through it that’s hat I did

I have tried to disable security delay for the last 5 hours and it keeps starting over every time the security delay itself runs it’s course. This is more than annoying! How to I get rid of it?

It’s also telling me I’m not in a familiar location, and I’m literally the same place I always am.

Same for me. I want to change my password and I’ve been told twice I’m in an unfamiliar location (home??) and I have to wait an hour. I go back and it resets to another hour. Then I tried to turn off the security delay and even with Face ID and passcode I was told to wait an hour.

Same problem. When I try to turn off stolen device protection, I get a message saying I have to wait an hour. Even though I’m at my home location listed in Apple Maps. I get a message after an hour, but it doesn’t allow me to do anything. Going around and around in circles.

Same issue here, i have a colleague, who did an ios update and now this annoyance turns up when i try to setup an email account with the apple mail app, and choosing "microsoft exchange" and other mail method works.

as everyone here, we just cant get pass the security delay.

this is a bug and it needs to be fixed ASAP, pretty please