While many people focus on protecting their online accounts, the same level of care should be applied to the iPhone that sits in their pocket every day. Apple includes several security features that are turned off by default, leaving users vulnerable to scams, accidental data exposure, or theft. Enabling these four settings can help safeguard money, personal information, and family privacy.
1. Require Face ID for specific apps
When a stranger asks to borrow your phone—perhaps claiming an emergency or a need to locate a family member—it can be tempting to hand it over unlocked. Scammers often use that brief access to pull personal data or initiate unauthorized transfers through banking or payment apps. By setting Face ID as a requirement for high‑risk apps, the phone will still be unlocked, but the app itself remains locked until your face is recognized.
To enable this, press and hold the app icon, select “Require Face ID,” and confirm. Banking, peer‑to‑peer payment, and other sensitive apps will then demand biometric verification each time they are opened.
2. Use Guided Access for temporary app restriction
Guided Access limits the device to a single app and prevents users from leaving that app without a passcode. This is useful when a child is playing a game, when you are showing a video to a guest, or when you need to let someone make a call without exposing the rest of your phone.
Activate it by opening Settings → Accessibility → Guided Access, turning the toggle on, and setting a passcode (or using Face ID/Touch ID). Then triple‑click the power button while in the chosen app and tap “Start.” The device will stay locked to that app until you end the session.
3. Turn on stolen‑device protection
If your iPhone is lost or stolen, the combination of “Find My” and stolen‑device protection makes it far harder for a thief to change settings or access critical data, even if they know your passcode. To enable this feature, ensure “Find My” is active, then go to Settings → Face ID & Passcode, enter your device passcode, and toggle on “Stolen Device Protection.”
4. Enable Multi‑Factor Authentication (MFA) for your Apple ID
Two‑factor authentication adds a second verification step whenever someone attempts to sign in to your Apple ID. Since the Apple ID controls iCloud photos, passwords, backups, and more, MFA is a vital line of defense against account takeover. Open Settings, tap your name, select “Sign‑In & Security,” and turn on two‑factor authentication. Make sure the trusted phone number is current.
General best practices
- Keep software up to date. Automatic updates patch security holes and add new protections.
- Avoid public Wi‑Fi. Unsecured networks can be monitored by hackers. Use a personal hotspot or a reputable VPN when you need connectivity on the go.
- Back up regularly. iCloud or Google backups ensure your photos and important files are recoverable if the device becomes inaccessible.
These steps require only a few minutes but provide a strong defensive layer for anyone who relies on an iPhone for banking, communication, or personal data. By taking advantage of Apple’s built‑in tools, users can protect themselves, their families, and their finances from everyday threats.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
