iPhone security delay: All you need to know

What is a security delay on an iPhone?

A security delay on an iPhone is a one-hour waiting period that Apple enforces before sensitive actions can be completed. Apple says the security delay helps prevent changes “that can lock you out of your iPhone or Apple account,” and it gives you time to mark the device as lost using Apple’s Find My service if needed.

The security delay was introduced alongside Apple’s wider Stolen Device Protection measures. By default, it applies when you’re away from familiar locations (such as home or work), but you can set it to “Always” to apply everywhere. Your iPhone may also end the delay early once it detects you’ve returned to a familiar location.

How does the security delay on an iPhone work?

The security delay on an iPhone activates when you try to make changes to sensitive settings on your device or Apple account. Apple introduced this feature to slow down anyone who might know your passcode and prevent them from making unauthorized changes.

The security delay works in two stages:

• Biometric authentication. For certain actions, your iPhone requires Face ID or Touch ID to confirm it’s really you. And that’s with no passcode alternative or fallback.
• One-hour delay. For more sensitive actions, you must confirm your identity once, wait an hour, and then perform an additional Face ID or Touch ID authentication to complete the process. If you return to a familiar location, your iPhone may end the delay early.

Apple explains that “when Stolen Device Protection is turned on, more sensitive operations require a security delay: a successful Face ID or Touch ID, an hour wait, then an additional successful biometric authentication.”

Actions that can trigger a security delay include changing your Apple account password, signing out of your Apple account, adding or removing Face or Touch ID, changing your passcode, using the “Reset all settings” option, enrolling in Mobile Device Management, and turning off Stolen Device Protection.

How to turn on the security delay on an iPhone

To turn on the security delay, first set up two-factor authentication for your Apple account, enable a device passcode, configure Face ID or Touch ID, turn on Find My, and enable Significant Locations in Location Services.

Once you’ve done that, follow these steps:

1. 1.Go to “Settings,” then tap “Face ID & passcode.”

   

2. 2.Enter your device passcode.

   

3. 3.Scroll down and tap “Stolen device protection.”

   

4. 4.Enable “Stolen device protection” by toggling the switch to the right.

   

5. 5.If you want the security delay to be active at all times, even in familiar locations, select "Always" under “Require security delay.”

   

How to turn off the security delay on an iPhone

Turning off the security delay works much like turning it on. The steps in Settings are nearly the same, except that they include the waiting period.

1. 1.Go to “Settings,” then tap “Face ID & passcode.”

   

2. 2.Enter your device passcode.

   

3. 3.Scroll down and tap “Stolen device protection.”

   

4. 4.Disable “Stolen device protection” by toggling the switch to the left.

   

5. 5.The iPhone will display the security delay warning window. Tap “Start security delay.”

   

6. 6.The iPhone will then start a one-hour countdown. Tap “Done” and wait out the remaining time.

   

7. 7.After one hour, go back to “Settings,” then “Face ID & passcode,” and then “Stolen device protection.” You should be asked to verify your Face ID. Once you do, toggle the “Stolen device protection” switch to the left — you’ll be able to turn it off this time.

What are the benefits of the security delay on an iPhone?

The security delay helps protect your device and Apple account when your iPhone detects a risk. It adds a layer of protection that makes unauthorized changes much harder because it:

• Thwarts account lockouts. The security delay stops a thief who knows your passcode from instantly changing your Apple account password.

• Buys you time. The one-hour wait that the security delay enforces gives you a window to use Find My, lock your device, or mark it lost.

• Relies on biometrics. Many sensitive actions don’t allow passcode fallback and instead require Face ID or Touch ID, which reduces the risk of passcode theft.

• Detects your location. By default, protections on the security delay relax at home or work, so normal maintenance is easier. You can also set it to “Always” for maximum protection.

What are the drawbacks of the security delay on an iPhone?

Even though the security delay on an iPhone strengthens the protection of your device, it can sometimes be inconvenient for everyday use. Below are some of the drawbacks users have pointed out:

• Inconvenience. You may change your passcode from time to time, and it's actually a recommended security practice. But with the security delay enabled, such casual attempts will trigger the waiting period if you're away from familiar locations or if the feature is set to “Always.”

• Location mismatches. Some users report the delay triggering at home or at familiar places where they spend a good chunk of their time. Apple explains this can happen if your iPhone is new and hasn’t yet learned your familiar locations or if it has been restored from backup.

• Extra step to turn it off. Disabling Stolen Device Protection (and therefore the security delay) requires you to wait out the one-hour period if you're not at a trusted location or if you've set the delay to “Always.” And so, if the attempt to turn it off is deliberate or not, you will still have to wait. 

Should you keep the iPhone security delay on or off?

Short answer: On. The security delay blocks the fastest paths thieves use to take over devices and accounts. If the extra wait occasionally slows you down and gets in your way, try setting it to “Away from familiar locations” instead of “Always.”

Leaving the security delay turned on makes it much harder for anyone to tamper with your phone, change your passcode, or enable phone mirroring features without permission. And if you want to learn how to secure your iPhone beyond just depending on the security delay, the best place to start is in Settings, where Apple includes a few more safeguards you can configure.

Other ways to improve your iPhone's security

The security delay is just one way Apple protects you from unauthorized access to your device and accounts. But you can make your iPhone even safer by turning on a few more defenses:

1. 1.Use a strong passcode. Swap a short numeric code for a longer alphanumeric one. Changing your passcode on an iPhone is quick, and it makes your device far harder to unlock by anyone else.
2. 2.Use Face ID or Touch ID. Biometrics are difficult to replicate, and they ensure that only you can unlock your device. If you have been wondering, “Is Face ID safe?”, rest assured that Apple designed it so your facial data never leaves the secure enclave on your phone.
3. 3.Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for Apple ID. 2FA adds an extra login step, requiring a one-time verification code along with your password. You can enable 2FA for your Apple ID in Settings to prevent anyone else from accessing your account. You can also use a passkey instead of a traditional password for supported apps and websites to make sign-ins even more secure.
4. 4.Enable “Erase data” after failed attempts. After 10 wrong passcode tries, your iPhone can erase all content — a last line of defense if the phone’s stolen.
5. 5.Shorten your auto-lock time. Keeping your screen locked for a minute or less helps reduce the risk of shoulder surfing.
6. 6.Use iCloud and Find My. iCloud security is important because it helps protect the data you back up and sync across devices, while Find My lets you locate, lock, or erase your iPhone remotely if it’s ever lost or stolen.
7. 7.Limit lock-screen access. Disable Siri and USB accessories on the lock screen so no one can exploit shortcuts without actually unlocking your phone.
8. 8.Lock sensitive apps and content. Use Screen Time passcodes or app-level locks to control who can open apps that store sensitive data.
9. 9.Keep iOS and apps up to date. Updates fix security vulnerabilities and close loopholes that attackers or malware can exploit.
10. 10.Invest in a VPN. Using a VPN on an iPhone can help make your online activity more private and secure by encrypting your traffic and routing it through a secure tunnel. Just be sure to use a trusted VPN service because a secure connection is only as strong as the provider behind it.

But even with these protections in place, it’s worth knowing how to spot trouble if it ever comes up. You can learn how to check for viruses on an iPhone and how to tell if your phone has been hacked by looking for signs like sudden battery drain, unexplained data use, or new apps you don’t remember installing. And if you’ve ever asked, “Do iPhones get viruses?”, the answer to that is yes — it’s rare but possible, especially if your device is jailbroken or running outdated software.

The main point about the iPhone’s security delay

As part of Stolen Device Protection introduced with iOS 17.3, the security delay on iPhone adds a one-hour waiting period before you can make changes to critical security settings. You can turn off the security delay, but doing so removes a safety net that could otherwise stop someone with your passcode from taking over your device. For most users, it’s best to keep it on — ideally set to “Always” for maximum protection or “Away from familiar locations” if you want the same security without potentially slowing yourself down at home or work.

And if you’re thinking about your broader digital safety, using a VPN for your iPhone can help protect your information online while the security delay fortifies your device against real-world threats.