Apple is developing a new security feature that will automatically lock an iPhone if it is snatched from a user’s hand, building on its existing anti-theft measures to thwart tech thieves.
The US tech giant has consistently rolled out upgrades to its smartphone security ecosystem, including remote tracking, distance-locking capabilities and strict anti-theft protocols designed to prevent criminals from changing Apple IDs or factory-resetting stolen devices.
The company is now turning its attention to a still vulnerable window: when a device is grabbed while actively in use. (continues below)
While Apple's current Stolen Device Protection offers robust security, it contains a significant loophole. If a thief snatches an unlocked iPhone straight out of a victim's hand while they are using it, the criminal gains immediate access to the active device. This vulnerability has prompted Apple to engineer a real-time solution.
According to technical details of the development, the new feature will rely on a combination of onboard hardware and ecosystem connectivity.
1. Proximity tracking: The system monitors the physical distance between the iPhone and the user's authenticated Apple Watch.
2. Motion sensors: Internal accelerometers will detect sudden, violent movements characteristic of a phone being ripped away.
If the system detects this specific combination of rapid acceleration and sudden separation from the user's Apple Watch, the iPhone will immediately trigger an automatic screen lock.
To ensure airtight security, Apple is also integrating location-based logic. If the device remains connected to an unfamiliar Wi-Fi network for an extended period following a suspected theft, the system will trigger a deeper lockdown via Stolen Device Protection.
Android users may find Apple’s latest security venture familiar. The system closely mirrors Google’s "Theft Detection Lock" ecosystem, which was rolled out earlier this year.
Google’s anti-theft suite relies on three distinct pillars to secure compromised devices: Identity Check, Failed Authentication Lock and Remote Lock.
1. The Identity Check feature ramps up biometric requirements when a device is outside familiar locations. It forces the use of facial recognition or fingerprints to access sensitive applications, such as the Google Password Manager or banking apps. Even if a thief manages to glimpse and memorize a user's PIN or pattern, they remain barred from critical data. (continues below)
2. The Failed Authentication Lock automatically disables the screen after a set number of incorrect passcode attempts, to prevent brute-force attacks. The latest iteration allows users to toggle this setting manually and introduces escalating lockout periods. Crucially, the system can differentiate between a thief guessing a passcode and a child playing with the screen, preventing accidental lockouts.
3. The Remote Lock function allows displaced users to visit [android.com/lock](https://android.com/lock) to secure their device using only their phone number. Google has updated this process with a strict "Security Challenge" questionnaire to verify true ownership and prevent malicious actors from remotely locking out legitimate users.
It remains unclear when Apple plans to introduce the new anti-theft technology. However, if successfully implemented, the feature could significantly improve protection against street theft and make stolen iPhones even more difficult for criminals to exploit.
Source: Support Apple, 9to5mac, Support Google
