Apple may be planning to steal Android’s handy anti-theft trick
Apple may be planning to steal Android’s handy anti-theft trick
https://www.androidauthority.com/apple-iphone-anti-snatching-feature-theft-detection-lock-3671402/
Publish Date: 2026-05-27 01:16:00
Source Domain: www.androidauthority.com
Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Apple is reportedly working on a feature that will automatically lock an iPhone if it is stolen from the user’s hands.
- The feature is expected to work like Android’s Theft Detection Lock by using a combination of signals to detect whether an iPhone has been snatched.
Apple already offers several anti-theft protections for iPhones, but it now looks like the company is borrowing one of Android’s smartest security tricks to close a major loophole. While features like Stolen Device Protection and Find My help keep your data safe if you lose your iPhone, they do little to stop someone who snatches the device from your hands while it’s unlocked.
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It looks like Apple is working on a very Android-inspired solution. According to a new report from 9to5Mac, the company is working on a feature that could automatically lock an iPhone if it’s snatched from a user’s hands.
According to the report, Apple will use a combination of signals, including accelerometer data, to detect whether an iPhone has been snatched. If the data indicates the phone was snatched, it will automatically lock the iPhone.
Nick Fernandez / Android Authority
If all this sounds familiar, well, it is. This is basically the Theft Detection Lock feature that’s been available on Android devices since Android 15. Theft Detection Lock uses AI and motion sensors to detect when a phone may have been snatched from its owner. If the system notices sudden movements commonly associated with theft, such as someone grabbing the phone and quickly running, biking, or driving away, it automatically locks the device to prevent unauthorized access. The feature can also trigger other protections if the phone goes offline for an extended period or if it detects repeated failed authentication attempts.
Apple is expected to leverage distance data from a paired Apple Watch to further improve the feature’s performance and…
