Apple iPhone 17 ProGetty ImagesA recent report has revealed an iPhone update that many will want, a system where if your phone is snatched from your hand, it’ll be instantly locked. But it seems there may be an aspect to this feature which many reports have overlooked: an Apple Watch may be essential to the process.ForbesApple iOS 27 Release Date: When You Can Download And Test The New iPhone UpdateBy David PhelanThe original report came from 9to5Mac, which has seen code that seems to confirm that the new feature is under active development. The Urban Epidemic Of Phone SnatchingIf you live in a major city, like London or New York, say, you’ll know that phone snatching is endemic, and troubling not just because you’ve likely lost your phone forever, but because if the thief has snagged the phone when it’s unlocked, they may be able to access data such as banking apps, for instance. Recent upgrades to Stolen Device Protection have limited thieves’ access, such as preventing Apple ID changes which would allow the thief to add themselves to your biometrics. And now Stolen Device Protection is on by default, rather than needing to be activated.MORE FOR YOUHow Sensor Data Detects A Snatch-And-GrabThis new feature would be an improvement which uses the iPhone’s accelerometer and gyroscope to calculate that the sudden movement indicates a snatch-and-grab. However, what’s not clear is whether the system will work on the iPhone only or if an Apple Watch is required. “To further determine whether the iPhone may have been taken from its owner, the feature will also observe the distance from a paired Apple Watch,” 9to5Mac said.Does that mean it only works with the watch? Or faster? That’ll become clear when the feature is released.Once activated, the current security protections apply. “Additionally, once fully implemented and enabled, the feature will take into account the same rules that apply to Stolen Device Protection: whether the iPhone is connected to a familiar WiFi network, and whether it is at a familiar location, such as home or work,” the report went on.There’s no such thing as perfect security. The New York Times recently reported how thieves who can’t wipe the stolen phone because an Apple ID is still connected, may take further action. They can access the emergency contact even if the phone is locked and in some cases have harassed or even threatened that contact if the ID isn’t removed. ForbesApple iPhone 18 Pro To Debut Camera Upgrade That Costs 50% More To Make, Analyst ClaimsBy David Phelan
Apple Developing iPhone Anti-Theft Upgrade — But You May Need An Apple Watch, Too
A new report claims that Apple is working on a feature which will instantly lock an iPhone if it’s snatched. But it looks like extra hardware may be required.
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