This iOS 26 feature is causing drama at Apple Stores for iPhone 17 trade-ins – here’s how to avoid the same mistake

• Disabling Find My is taking up to an hour for some iPhone users
• It’s an essential step before trading up to a new iPhone 17
• The delay is part of the Stolen Device Protection security feature

Although the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17, iPhone Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max may all be picked up in Apple stores starting today, some upgraders who are seeking to trade in their current iPhones are encountering a difficult issue.

The Stolen Device Protection function, which was added to iPhones with iOS 17.3, is the main cause of the problem. By delaying any suspicious changes made outside of a user’s trusted areas by one hour, this ultra-secure option aims to discourage burglars.

Turning off the Find My tracking function, which is required when trading in an iPhone, is now considered a suspicious change. Additionally, a public Apple Store is considered an untrusted area, meaning that customers must wait an hour to give in their old phones.

• Also Check: 9 hidden iPhone 17 features that Apple didn’t mention – and there’s good news and bad

We learned from one TechRadar reader that this exact problem had affected them in an Apple Store and was “causing havoc” on the day of launch. As customers make the switch, we have also witnessed large queues at the Apple Store in New York.

Plan ahead

Make sure you have everything ready before you leave the house, including turning off Find My, if you intend to trade in your old iPhone for a brand-new one. With biometric authentication, iOS will enable you to do this immediately because you’re in a trusted location.

Additionally, keep in mind that this is only applicable if you have activated Stolen Device Protection; it is not activated by default. By going to iOS Settings, then Face ID & Passcode > Stolen Device Protection, you can see if it is enabled on your own Apple device.

Additionally, there is a workaround if you’re reading this while in line at an Apple Store: open the iPhone’s info card in the Find My app, then select Remove. After that, you should be prompted to confirm by entering your Apple password if you wish to get your device ready for trade-in.

Apple has a thorough instruction on how to replace your old iPhone with a new one, including how to turn off Find My, if you need more information. You’ll save time in the store if you complete all of things beforehand.