How to Turn off Security Delay on iPhone

Stolen Device Protection’s Security Delay on iPhone is an optional feature. If the built-in wait period feels excessive, you can turn it off. Still, it’s important to understand what’s at stake before changing such a sensitive setting.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to turn off Security Delay on iPhone and walk you through exactly what changes once the feature is disabled. In most cases, you can remove it easily using Face ID, and we’ll guide you through that process. If Face ID is broken or never prompts, we’ll also show you how to disable it without relying on Face ID or Touch ID. 

Overview of Security Delay on iPhone

If your iPhone is running iOS 17.3 or later, it comes with Apple’s new Stolen Device Protection feature which includes a Security Delay option. You’ll need to turn it on manually. Once it’s active, a built-in time buffer is added before you can adjust sensitive settings like changing your Apple ID password or setting up a new Face ID or Touch ID.

Here are all the key things to know if you want to understand how this feature works in practice.

What Happens After Security Delay iPhone?

When Security Delay is active on your iPhone, any attempt to change sensitive security settings will trigger a mandatory one-hour wait under specific conditions, depending on your setup.

For instance, if you’ve enabled the feature to apply only when Away from Familiar Locations, then the one-hour delay will only activate when you’re somewhere unrecognized by your iPhone (outside your home, office, or trusted locations). Instead, if you’ve set it to require delay as Always, it will kick in every time, no matter where you are.

Once triggered, you’ll see a prompt asking whether to start the one-hour Security Delay or not. And if you start the countdown, a visible timer will appear on your screen.

Anyway, during this hour, your iPhone remains fully usable. You can call, text, use apps, browse, purchase via Apple Pay, and continue daily activity as normal. Such delay only activates when making changes to key settings like:

• Changing your Apple ID password
• Signing out of your Apple ID
• Managing account security (e.g., adding/removing recovery contacts, security keys, or trusted devices)
• Adding or removing Face ID or Touch ID
• Changing your iPhone passcode
• Resetting all settings
• Turning off Find My iPhone
• Disabling Stolen Device Protection

These actions won’t be allowed until the countdown ends. Once the hour passes, you’ll get a notification and you’ll be able to continue.

Now that you understand how the delay works in action, let’s weigh the advantages and drawbacks to help you decide whether to keep this feature enabled or turn it off.

Pros of iPhone Security Delay

A timed barrier before any major changes means even if someone gains access to your unlocked iPhone or spies you entering your device passcode, they can’t instantly change your Apple ID password, disable Find My, or wipe the device.

This delay buys you precious time: enough to mark your phone as lost, lock it remotely via iCloud, or contact Apple Support before real damage is done.

Cons of iPhone Security Delay

The biggest downside? Inconvenience. Security Delay slows you down when you’re trying to make genuine changes, especially in urgent moments.

Another problem is even if you’ve set the feature to work only in unfamiliar locations, iPhones sometimes misread your current setting and still trigger the delay.

Worse, once it’s active, turning it off requires biometric authentication. So if your Face ID is broken or unresponsive, you’re stuck in a loop. Thankfully, we’ve covered workarounds for all situations.

How to Turn off Security Delay on iPhone with Face ID

There are plenty of everyday reasons why you might want to turn off Security Delay, especially when Face ID is working just fine.

• Maybe your iPhone never leaves home, and yet the feature still kicks in like it’s protecting something at risk.
• Maybe you simply don’t want to wait an hour to change your Apple ID or passcode.
• Or maybe you’re just testing things out and want to see how the device behaves without it.

Whatever the case, you can easily disable Security Delay through your settings using Face ID. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1. Open the Settings app. Tap Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode, based on your model) and enter your iPhone passcode to continue.

Step 2. Scroll down and select Stolen Device Protection.

Step 3. Switch off the Stolen Device Protection toggle. You’ll be prompted to authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID.

Note: If your device skips the biometric prompt or fails to respond, force quit the Settings app, restart your phone, and try again.

Step 4. Once authenticated, you’ll see a message saying Security Delay Required to Change Stolen Device Protection. Tap the Start Security Delay button to begin the countdown.

Step 5. You’ll see a countdown screen for 1 hour. You can use your phone normally during this time. Just avoid restarting the phone, as this resets the timer.

Step 6. After the hour ends, you’ll get a notification on your lock screen: Security Delay Ended.

Step 7. Tap the notification. 

Step 8. Now toggle Stolen Device Protection off again. Face ID (or Touch ID) will authenticate, and this time the feature will be disabled immediately without starting a new delay.

How to Turn off Security Delay on iPhone Without Face ID or Waiting for an Hour

Face ID or Touch ID fails to display the “Start Security Delay” screen? Or your sensors are damaged and unresponsive and you can’t authenticate at all? It becomes impossible to access the toggle to disable Stolen Device Protection.

Still, you’re not out of options. There is a last-resort method that works: erasing the iPhone directly from the lock screen. Yes, it will wipe your data but it also resets all security settings, including the security delay mechanism. Just make sure you know your Apple ID and password. As long as you have those credentials, you can proceed with the steps to turn off Security Delay without Face ID and without waiting an hour:

Step 1. Enter the wrong passcode multiple times (usually 5–10 tries) on the lock screen until you see iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout.

Step 2. Tap the Forgot Passcode? option at the bottom of the screen.

Step 3. On the next screen, choose iPhone reset and tap Start iPhone Reset again to confirm.

Step 4. Enter your Apple ID password when prompted. This verifies you’re the rightful owner and authorizes the device reset. If asked whether to delete or keep eSIM, make your choice.

How to Remove Security Delay from iPhone Without Passcode/Face ID/Apple ID

If your Face ID or Touch ID simply doesn’t work and thus Stolen Devices Protection won’t let you turn off, you can use Passixer iPhone Unlocker to safely remove the screen lock from your iDevice, along with Security Delay setting.

Passixer is also useful when you are locked out of your iPhone due to forgetting screen passcode. Whether it’s a 4-digit/6-digit code or custom code, Passixer can wipe it without iTunes or iCloud. Even devices with broken screens or unavailable screen prompt can be unlocked without a hitch.

Key Features:

• Work even if the iPhone is disabled, stuck in Security Lockout, or marked unavailable.
• Remove Apple ID from iPhone even when Apple ID is locked or Find My is on.
• Bypass iCloud Activation Lock without password, enabling you to access the device again.
• Turn off Screen Time without passcode or data loss.

How to Remove Security Delay from iPhone Using Passixer

Step 1. Launch Passixer iPhone Unlocker on your computer and choose Wipe Passcode from the main interface. Then, use a certified USB cable to connect your iPhone to the computer.

Step 2. Once connected, verify your device information and click Start to begin downloading the correct firmware package.

Step 3. After the firmware is ready, hit Next, enter 0000 to confirm, and click Unlock.

Step 4. Wait a few minutes. Once the unlocking process completes, your iPhone will display the setup screen. You can now set it up as new.

Conclusion

For most users, it’s best to leave Stolen Device Protection turned on as it genuinely strengthens your iPhone’s defense against theft. However, there are valid reasons to turn it off, like when your iPhone only stays at home. And when you can’t remove the Security Delay via normal means like Face ID or Touch ID, Passixer iPhone Unlocker becomes the practical choice.

Passixer can remove screen lock and bypass the security features in one go, letting you start fresh with a new Apple ID and full access to your device and configured exactly how you want.