Apple has released iOS 17.3 to the general public and it comes with features like Stolen Device Protection and Collaborative Playlists.

The most interesting update is Stolen Device Protection, which you can enable to make certain actions harder to execute and thus, make your phone more secure. Once enabled, it will make it difficult to change your Apple ID password, passcode, or viewing your other passwords, when away from a familiar place.

This is a very interesting update. Imagine you are at a bar and punching in your iPhone passcode. Somebody is looking over your shoulder and easily reading whatever you key in as passcode. If the thief can change the Apple ID password and wipe your iPhone, you will obviously have a tough time. Stolen Device Protection adds the layer of Face ID or Touch ID when away from your home, work, or other trusted location.

The feature requires you to enter your biometric authentication, like Face ID and Touch ID, multiple times to access some of your sensitive settings and information. Plus, there is a mechanism called Security Delay when you try to change these settings. Security Delay requires Face ID or Touch ID, an hour wait, and then an additional successful biometric authentication before sensitive operations like changing device passcode or Apple ID password can be performed.

The other interesting feature is collaborative playlists coming to Apple Music subscribers. It allows multiple people to edit and control shared playlists on the app. Y

iOS 17.3 also comes with new Unity wallpaper to honour Black history and culture in celebration of Black History Month.