Trending Now - Apple Developing Automatic Lock Feature to Prevent Phone Theft

WHO:

Mashable - Apple is the organization developing the new iOS feature.

9to5Mac - Apple is the organization working on the iPhone security feature.

WHAT:

MacRumors - The new feature will use the gyroscope, accelerometer, and other sensors to determine when an iPhone has been grabbed.

MacRumors - The feature will activate Stolen Device Protection to prevent thieves from accessing information on the iPhone once it is snatched.

MacRumors - Stolen Device Protection requires biometric authentication for actions like accessing stored passwords or credit cards and includes built-in hour-long delays for changing an Apple Account password.

TechRadar - A phone is snatched every eight minutes in London.

Android Authority - The Theft Detection Lock feature has been available on Android devices since Android 15.

9to5Mac - Apple is developing a feature similar to Android’s Theft Detection Lock that will automatically lock the iPhone when it detects it has been snatched from the user’s hand.

9to5Mac - The feature will restrict access based on conditions similar to Stolen Device Protection, including WiFi connectivity and location familiarity.

Mashable - Apple is reportedly working on a new iOS feature to prevent phone snatchers from accessing users' personal data.

9to5Mac - Apple is developing a feature that automatically locks the iPhone when it detects it has been snatched from the user’s hand.

9to5Mac - The feature will rely on the iPhone’s accelerometer to detect when the device has been snatched.

WHERE:

9to5Mac - The feature will consider whether the iPhone is at a familiar location, such as home or work.

WHEN:

9to5Mac - There are no details on when these features will be announced, but code indicates they are under active development.

WHY:

9to5Mac - The new feature aims to enhance iPhone anti-theft protections, as existing features can be rendered useless if a thief grabs an unlocked device.

HOW:

MacRumors - The feature will rely on a paired Apple Watch to detect when the iPhone has suddenly moved away from the owner's wrist.

9to5Mac - The feature will observe the distance from a paired Apple Watch to determine if the iPhone has been taken from its owner.

9to5Mac - The feature will restrict access based on conditions similar to Stolen Device Protection, including WiFi connectivity and location familiarity.

(UPDATED May 28, 2026 06:21 UTC)

Apple is set to introduce a new feature that will utilize the gyroscope, accelerometer, and other sensors to detect when an iPhone is grabbed. This feature will activate Stolen Device Protection, which requires biometric authentication for accessing sensitive information and includes built-in delays for changing an Apple Account password. Additionally, it will rely on a paired Apple Watch to sense when the iPhone has suddenly moved away from the owner's wrist.

(UPDATED May 27, 2026 23:22 UTC)

In London, a phone is snatched every eight minutes, highlighting a growing concern over theft in the city. To combat this issue, Android devices have introduced a Theft Detection Lock feature, which has been available since Android 15. This feature aims to enhance security and protect users from the rising tide of mobile phone theft.

(UPDATED May 27, 2026 16:33 UTC)

Apple is working on a new feature that will automatically lock the iPhone if it detects that it has been snatched from the user's hand, similar to Android’s Theft Detection Lock. This enhancement aims to improve anti-theft protections by restricting access based on factors like WiFi connectivity and the familiarity of the location, while also monitoring the distance from a paired Apple Watch to determine if the device has been taken. With this development, Apple hopes to address vulnerabilities in existing features that can be bypassed if a thief grabs an unlocked phone.

(UPDATED May 27, 2026 14:53 UTC)

Apple is developing a new iOS feature designed to enhance iPhone anti-theft protections by preventing phone snatchers from accessing users' personal data. This innovative feature will automatically lock the iPhone when it detects that it has been snatched from the user's hand, using the device's accelerometer and monitoring its distance from a paired Apple Watch to determine if it has been taken. While there are no details on when these features will be announced, code suggests they are currently under active development.