A phone is snatched every eight minutes in London but iPhones could soon get this Android-inspired upgrade to frustrate thieves

Date:
Wed, 27 May 2026 13:46:38 +0000

Description:
iOS users might soon get a new feature designed to protect your private data from phone thieves.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter A report claims Apple is
working on a new theft protection feature for iOS This will automatically
lock your iPhone if its stolen It uses your iPhones sensors to detect if its been snatched from your hands Phone theft has become such an epidemic in places like London that a device is snatched every eight minutes in the UKs capital, according to the latest government data . In 2024, Android launched its Theft Detection Lock feature in a bid to fight back, and now it looks
like Apple is about to follow suit.

That's because 9to5Mac claims to have seen unreleased iOS code that hints at this feature. If it comes to fruition, it could mean users of both major
phone operating systems have a way to keep their private info out of the
hands of thieves. It sounds like Apples idea could be a simple yet effective system. The report says iOS will use various signals including your iPhones accelerometer and the distance of the phone from a paired Apple Watch to
work out when the device has been quickly taken from your hands. When that happens, it automatically locks your iPhone, keeping your data shut off from the thief. Latest Videos From You may like Apple says its iPhone Lockdown
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Once iOS has confirmed those criteria and has locked your iPhone, it then checks if your device is on a familiar Wi-Fi network and at a familiar location. If not, additional safety measures come into effect, including requiring Face ID or Touch ID to access credit cards and passwords and adding a time delay to changing your Apple Account password. These mirror what youll find with Apples Stolen Device Protection feature. Better protection (Image credit: Paul Hanaoka on Unsplash) While Stolen Device Protection , Activation Lock and Find My are all useful, they dont fully protect you in all circumstances. Thats because having your phone suddenly snatched out of your hands has one major disadvantage for you (and a big advantage for the crooks) in that your device is likely to be unlocked.

If an iPhone is unlocked, the thief can still access many of the most
personal and sensitive elements on your device, including your address book, emails, recent texts, and more. And thats a sizable problem.

But when this rumored theft protection feature locks an iPhone, it adds an additional layer of security. The thieves must then get past your passcode or biometric authentication in order to access your phones innards rather than having everything on display for them. And with additional features like Stolen Device Protection, it should help keep your data even safer. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Its worth noting that Apple hasnt made any announcement of this feature yet, and it instead appears to have been unearthed in unreleased iOS code. While Apple could announce it at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 8, it might also be simply testing the idea without any release commitment.

But if the feature is going to make an appearance this year, WWDC would be a good time for Apple to lift the lid on it. Follow TechRadar on Google News
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/a-phone-is-snatched-every-eight-minutes-in-lo ndon-but-iphones-could-soon-get-this-handy-android-upgrade-to-frustrate-thieve s


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