Apple is reportedly working on a feature that will automatically lock an iPhone if the system detects that it has been snatched from the owner's hand.
Should this feature be released publicly, it will surely be of help to iPhone owners who suddenly find themselves victims of theft.
Apple Works on Anti-Snatching Feature
According to a report by 9to5Mac, this feature will rely on different signals to determine if an iPhone has indeed been snatched from the owner.
First, the feature will be relying on the iPhone's accelerometer. The accelerometer is actually a tiny chip that iPhones have that measures the device's physical movement, vibration, and orientation. This means that the accelerometer can gauge is the user is driving or walking.
Next, pairing the iPhone with an Apple Watch will prove to be useful for this feature as it will also gauge the distance between the two devices.
Per the report, a release date for the feature has not been confirmed by Apple as of press time.
Working Similarly to Stolen Device Protection
This reported new feature, should it be released, will be the latest addition to the anti-theft measures that have been implemented by Apple for its devices.
As the 9to5Mac report has noted, this anti-snatching feature actually has similarities to another anti-theft feature known as Stolen Device Protection.
Apple describes the Stolen Device Protection feature as an additional "layer of security when your iPhone is away from familiar locations, such as home or work, and helps protect your accounts and personal information in case your iPhone is ever stolen."
The reported anti-snatching feature is said to follow the same rules as the Stolen Device Protection feature, which means that it will take into account two important things:
- Whether the iPhone is connected to a familiar WiFi network
- Whether the iPhone is at a familiar location, such as home or work
Should the system determine that the iPhone has indeed been snatched from its owner, will restrict access to the same areas that Stolen Device Protection likewise secures.
The Stolen Device Protection feature requires the user, if it detects that they are in an unfamiliar location to authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID before they are able to do the following:
- Use passwords or passkeys saved in Keychain
- Use payment methods saved in Safari (AutoFill)
- Turn off Lost Mode
- Open a locked app
- Erase all content and settings
- Apply for a new Apple Card
- View your Apple Card or Apple Cash virtual card number
- Take certain Apple Cash and Savings actions in Wallet
- Use your iPhone to set up a new device
- Set up or transfer an eSIM
Originally published on Tech Times
