Apple security and protocols so lax these days

You are obviously under the impression you're writing Apple here? You're not. This is a user to user only forum, which Apple neither participates nor reads for user feedback. I'm not going to debate your assertion Apple is lax in terms of security as I don't agree with you. That said, if you do want to share your thoughts with Apple, this isn't the place to do it. This is, however, where you can send feedback to Apple --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple

If you think you are writing Apple here you are incorrect. This is a user forum, kind of like Reddit for apple. Apple does not participate at all or read any of these. You would be better off giving feedback to Apple here if you aren’t making this whole thing up. Feedback - iPhone - Apple

Did you ask the police how they knew it was your phone and how to contact you? You sure jumped to the most extreme.

Currently, Apple defaults to a six digit passcode at setup, but you can choose to set it as a four digit, however many digits you want, or a paraphrase. The choice is yours. Use a passcode with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

This is user to user site. We are all users here.....just like you. Apple is not here. They will never see your message.

This was explained to you in the Terms of Use Agreement which you signed to confirm that you understood this.

Maybe look before you leap next time.

niglin wrote:

You people at apple

"You people at apple"? This is a user-to-user forum. You are not speaking to Apple.

need to increase or upgrade the password to be a min or 8-10 characters on the lock screen to make it harder.

There are a million possible six-digit passcodes, and an iPhone will only let you make ten incorrect guesses. After that, it goes into an Unavailable state where you must reset and erase it to get in. As long as you do not pick your passcode in a way that a thief can anticipate, a thief who guesses has only a 1 in 100,000 chance of hitting on the right passcode before the phone becomes Unavailable.

Not that recent versions of iOS force you to use a numeric passcode. If you want to use a custom alphanumeric code, go right ahead. The iPhone supports that – it just doesn't force it on every user.

Use a passcode with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Also, have the phone connect to a satellite (because Iphone also has the capability)

Are you interested in paying the bills for all of the extra satellite data traffic that would generate?

Apple is so lax on security now, there are many phones much more secure and better equipped, which I'm looking at currently to buy such as Purism and Bittium. Will sell my iphone.

Go ahead. My impression from doing a quick search is that Bittium phones are extremely expensive, and aimed at niche high-security markets … and that the operating system in Purism phones is less hardened than iOS in major ways. (Both impressions could be wrong.). I also get the impression that Purism phones might have a limited app selection (https://forums.puri.sm/t/librem-5-apps-e-g-kik-snapchat-etc/3263) due to not being compatible either with Google Play Store apps or Apple App Store apps. (I could be wrong.)

If those phones are what float your boat, buy them. It's your money.

niglin wrote:

... they used forensic software and cracked my iphone, then got a hold of me.

...

Sorry I don't believe that is what happened.

Although they can ask Apple to help, I don't see them going to that expense just to return your phone.

I can believe the thief saw you entering a passcode and he told the cops.

If you marked the phone lost the data would be erased .

Maybe you are in the alternative phone business?.

I dont care what you believe LD. Can you read minds too, what was the thief thinking at the time? I left it on a bench at the gym for just a moment, nobody could have been looking over my shoulder either. Sounds like you have bigger issues than me.

Its like a rhetorical - general comment if you will.

If you knew it was rhetorical, you already knew the answer. Why post in the first place?

You are just looking for attention. We are not buying.

Try another site. Reddit is a haven for whiners. You will be welcome there.

niglin wrote:

I dont care what you believe LD. Can you read minds too, what was the thief thinking at the time? I left it on a bench at the gym for just a moment, nobody could have been looking over my shoulder either. Sounds like you have bigger issues than me.

we hear from a lot of people totally locked out of their iphones with total data loss because they forgot their passcode.

We read about court warrants from serious crime police trying to force Apple to open up phones.

We never hear from someone where the local cop shop were able to open an iphone just like that, steal their data fir some obscure reason, then hand over the iphone.

Doesn't happen, never will - without the passcode.

For anyone who is interested in taking a "deeper dive" into the privacy and security features available on iPhones, see:

Apple Platform Security - Apple Support

Privacy - Control - Apple

Its like a rhetorical - general comment if you will.. thanks for 2 cents however

lol not even close