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

The iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max are all available to pick up in Apple Stores from today, but some upgraders who are trading in their existing iPhones are hitting a frustrating problem when trying to make the swap.

At the core of the issue is the Stolen Device Protection feature introduced to iPhones with iOS 17.3. This super-secure mode is designed to deter thieves by putting a one-hour delay on any suspicious changes that are made outside of a user's trusted locations.

Now, turning off the Find My tracking service – which you have to do when trading in an iPhone – counts as a suspicious ...