16 iPhone security and emergency features you should know in 2023

With the increasing amount of sensitive information on our devices, it is imperative that we keep our iPhones secure and equipped with security features. Fortunately, Apple has not compromised and has provided some useful features to help users in difficult situations. In this guide, I will give you a rundown of all the important iPhone security features and emergencies that you should consider!

1. Preparing a medical ID

Get started with your Medical ID in the iPhone Health app

Setting up a Medical ID on your iPhone can come in handy during medical emergencies. This ensures that you receive appropriate and timely medical care.

For example, suppose you are unable to communicate during an emergency. In this case, your Medical ID can provide quick access to important medical information such as allergies, diseases, medications, and emergency contacts.

Note that when setting up a Medical ID, we recommend that you enable Medical ID access from the Lock screen on your iPhone.

2. Run the search function.

Click

You have to turn on Find My on your iPhone to find your lost device and protect your data from theft with Activation Lock. You can also use it to share your location with family and friends, helping others know about an emergency you’re in.

You can put your device into Lost Mode if you lose your iPhone. It locks your device, displays a message with a phone number where you can be contacted, and shows your device’s location on a map.

3. Enable Delete data after several failed attempts

The Auto Erase feature on your iPhone is a simple yet effective way to protect your data if your phone is lost or stolen. It prevents unauthorized access, protects your iPhone from hackers and ensures that your data stays safe.

To enable deletion of data after 10 failed attempts:

  1. Go to Settings → Face ID & Passcode.
  2. Enter the password.
  3. Scroll down and enable Clear Data → tap on Enable.

    Open Face ID & password, clear data, tap

4. Turn on Lock Mode

How to turn on lock mode

Locked iPhone adds a layer of security to protect against complex digital threats. This improves security, protects your privacy, and prevents unauthorized access to your device.

Once locked mode is enabled, your device will restrict certain apps, websites, and features like Apple services, Messages, FaceTime, shared albums, etc. As a result, this will reduce the attack surface and the use of targeted malware.

5. Use a security check

Security Scan on your iPhone is a feature to guard against everyday threats. It disables Find My Network Location, resets system privacy settings, secures access to Messages and FaceTime, and signs out of your iCloud account. In addition, you can perform a privacy audit, see who can see information, change the passcode and password for your Apple ID, and more.

The emergency reset option in the security check immediately revokes the permission of any user, any app, or any data to access your iPhone data. Do this if you are afraid your phone has been hacked or your safety is in danger. If you are more concerned about your privacy, you can use security apps for your iPhone.

6. Use emergency SOS

call emergency services on iphone 11

Emergency SOS on your iPhone becomes an essential feature in potentially life-threatening situations. Provides quick access to emergency services, location tracking, and important medical information. This way you can get the right help at the right time. You can call 911 or your local emergency number by pressing the side button five times.

This also works even if your phone is locked. Also, when you use Emergency SOS, your iPhone will share your location with your emergency contacts. Also, if you are in a deserted area with no network coverage, you can use Emergency SOS via satellite on your iPhone 14.

7. Encrypt your notes

It is very important to lock sensitive notes on your iPhone. In iOS 16, you can use Face ID to encrypt notes. Previously, for added security, you could set a different password instead of your passcode. But biometric authentication added convenience along with more security.

8. Install security updates automatically

Quick Security Responses is an iOS security patch to protect your iPhone from more serious vulnerabilities. It also combats vulnerable physical peripherals and system files that can be attacked.

You can automate the installation of these updates by doing the following:

  1. Open Settings → General.
  2. Then go to “Software Update” → “Automatic Update”.
  3. Include security responses and system files.

    Enable Rapid Security Response Updates on iPhone and iPad

9. Passwords for applications and websites

How to use Apple passwords

iPhone Passkeys is a password replacement system to protect against data leakage, phishing, and password cracking. It uses different public and private keys for each account.

Thus, if you use this feature, password protected accounts will become difficult to hack because the private key is hidden and requires biometric identification. You can access passwords from your Apple devices while they’re synced to iCloud.

10. Apple ID security keys

If you want to go further with protecting your Apple ID, you must have a security key to sign in to your Apple ID. Prevents phishing and unauthorized login attempts.

After enabling this feature, when you try to sign in to another device, access your account online, or change your Apple ID password, you’ll need security keys instead of two-factor verification codes.

You can get any FIDO-certified security key, such as Yubico or NFC keys. However, always carry two keys with you in case you lose one.

11. Use iCloud Advanced Data Protection

To protect your iCloud data, Apple has introduced another security feature called Advanced Data Protection. Provides end-to-end data encryption for voice memos, shortcuts, Safari bookmarks, wallet passes, notes, photos, and reminders. Previously, only a few files and data contained this security protocol. I highly recommend getting extended protection.

12. Change the AirDrop timeout

AirDrop is great for quickly transferring files. But you may receive spam from people near you, as always. To prevent this, you can choose to receive from contacts only or just leave this feature enabled for 10 minutes.

  1. Go to Settings → General → AirDrop.
  2. Select “All” for 10 minutes.

    Open General, Airdrop, All for 10 minutes in the Settings app.

Now, if you are inactive for 10 minutes, AirDrop will be turned off. You have to manually enable AirDrop for people who are not in your contact list.

13. Hide your personal email address

Hide my email is a security feature of iCloud +. It allows you to generate unique random email addresses that are forwarded to your email account. So you can send emails, submit forms or register with websites without revealing your email address.

14. Use iCloud Private Relay

Scroll down and tap Private Relay, and turn Private Relay on or off.

With iCloud Private Relay, you can prevent websites from tracking you. This ensures that no one, not even Apple, can see who you are and which websites you browse in Safari. Your requests are routed through two separate secure Internet nodes. So you can browse the internet safely and keep your privacy.

Sometimes, when this feature is enabled, some websites may not work properly. Therefore, you may consider temporarily disabling iCloud Private Relay on your iPhone.

15. Hide your IP address

Apple enabled this iPhone security setting due to the increase in data usage and the increase in malicious ad networks every day. In addition, when browsing Safari, you can hide your IP address and protect your information from privacy violations.

16. APP tracking control

According to Apple’s App Tracking Transparency, every website and app must have permission to access your data. You can also change permissions later or prevent apps from tracking you on your iPhone.

Use the emergency and safety features on your iPhone!

iPhone security settings can keep your data secure and ready for emergencies. It is important to keep your iPhone updated and to be aware of the security risks associated with using public Wi-Fi networks or downloading apps from untrusted sources. Are you using any other security features in iOS 16? Let me know in the comments below. I’ll really check!

Find out more…

  • How to change security and privacy settings on iPhone
  • How to get rid of fake Apple security alerts on iPhone
  • Apple Watch security features: Everything you need to maintain your privacy