Apple might adopt Android’s most effective anti-theft feature for upcoming iPhones.

      Apple may soon implement a new anti-theft feature that aims to make stolen iPhones notably harder to access, closely resembling a useful security tool found on Android devices. According to a report from 9to5Mac, Apple is developing a system that can automatically recognize when an iPhone has been forcibly taken from a user's hands and locks the device immediately to protect sensitive information from thieves.

      This feature will reportedly utilize a mix of motion sensors, accelerometer data, and contextual signals to detect whether the phone has been abruptly grabbed and moved in an unnatural manner. If the system suspects a theft, it will automatically activate a lock state to prevent unauthorized access.

      Apple is tackling a significant security vulnerability

      This initiative addresses a growing concern related to smartphone theft. Current iPhone protections, like Stolen Device Protection and Find My, offer some security for user data once a phone is missing, but they are much less effective if the device is already unlocked when stolen.

      Such gaps have become increasingly prevalent in real-world theft incidents, particularly in busy urban areas where thieves swiftly snatch unlocked phones and disable security settings, reset passwords, or access banking applications before the owner can respond.

      Dimitri Karastelev / unsplash

      Apple's new approach seems to draw heavy inspiration from Android's Theft Detection Lock feature introduced with Android 15. Google's system employs AI and motion sensors to detect sudden movements that are often associated with theft, such as a person quickly snatching a phone and fleeing on foot, a bike, or in a vehicle. Once activated, the Android device locks itself and engages additional security measures.

      As per the report, Apple’s version may take this further by using proximity data from a paired Apple Watch to verify whether the phone remains close to its owner. The company may also incorporate location data utilized in Stolen Device Protection to ascertain if the iPhone is situated in a familiar environment like home or work.

      If the device identifies suspicious activity in an unfamiliar area, it could automatically limit access to sensitive configurations, account adjustments, passwords, and security controls.

      The significance of this development

      This feature has the potential to be among Apple's most practical security enhancements in years since it addresses a specific real-world issue rather than merely focusing on remote device recovery.

      Shikhar Mehrotra / Digital Trends

      It also illustrates a broader trend in the smartphone market where manufacturers are increasingly adopting effective ideas from one another. While Apple typically emphasizes privacy and ecosystem integration, Android makers have recently accelerated development in AI-driven theft detection and proactive security systems.

      For users, the primary benefit would be increased peace of mind. If implemented successfully, the new feature could greatly minimize the brief opportunity thieves now exploit after stealing unlocked phones.

      What’s next

      Apple has not yet officially confirmed the feature, and there is no set release timeline at this point. However, the report indicates that the system is currently in active development, hinting it might be included in a future iOS update, potentially debuting with iOS 27 later this year.

      If Apple manages to integrate the feature into its overall iPhone security framework, it could represent one of the more significant real-world applications of on-device AI and sensor technology in upcoming iPhones.