Apple may be working on Android-like theft-detection feature: How it works

Apple is reportedly working on a feature to enhance the security of an iPhone. This upgrade is said to be designed to shut down thieves in real time by automatically locking an iPhone the moment it detects the device has been forcibly snatched from a user’s hand, 9to5mac said in a report citing a code reference.

This feature will add to the already available anti-theft measures such as Find My, Activation Lock and Stolen Device Protection, providing security in case the phone is snatched while it is already unlocked. If a thief sprints away with an unlocked iPhone, they can access personal data and cause damage before the screen naturally times out.

Apple’s new feature aims to secure the device instantly, drawing heavy inspiration from Android’s existing “Theft Detection Lock.” The system relies on a combination of hardware sensors to recognise suspicious signals to determine if a theft has just occurred.

How it will work

Similar to Android, the system will use the iPhone’s built-in sensors to detect the sudden, jerky motion characteristic of a phone being ripped out of someone’s hand. Once this specific motion is confirmed, the device locks itself immediately.

To double-check if the phone has left its owner, the feature will monitor the physical distance between the iPhone and a paired Apple Watch. A sudden drop in connection strength or a rapid increase in distance will trigger the lock.

The feature will integrate with Apple's existing Stolen Device Protection rules. It will constantly check whether the iPhone is at a trusted location (like home or work) or connected to a familiar Wi-Fi network.

There is currently no official release date for the anti-snatch feature, but its presence in internal software code indicates it is under active development.

In Android, automatic AI-powered screen lock is triggered when a users’ phone is snatched. “Theft Detection Lock is a powerful new feature that uses Google AI to sense if someone snatches your phone from your hand and tries to run, bike or drive away. If a common motion associated with theft is detected, your phone screen quickly locks – which helps keep thieves from easily accessing your data,” Google explains.