Abstract:
Apple is continuing to promote a new security feature to target street phone snatching. The latest code appearing in the beta version of iOS 27.2 shows that Apple has not yet given up on this technology, which is called "anti-locking" by the outside world, and that related functions have entered a deeper stage of development.
According to the latest discovered information, this feature is named "AutoLock" internally at Apple. The goal is that after the user's iPhone is suddenly snatched away, the system can quickly determine that the device is in an abnormal state and automatically lock the phone to prevent thieves from obtaining personal data and sensitive information.
Judging from the currently exposed design, Apple plans to use multiple sensors inside the iPhone to work together to complete the judgment. These include gyroscopes, accelerometers, and other sensors used to monitor device movement. When the system detects severe acceleration changes consistent with "grabbing behavior characteristics", it will treat it as a suspicious event.
In addition to sensing the movement status of the device, Apple is also preparing to use Apple Watch to further improve recognition accuracy. If the Apple Watch paired with an iPhone cannot establish contact with the phone for a period of time, or the system detects that the phone is suddenly moved away from the wearer's wrist and the connection interruption persists, this will also be regarded as a potential sign of theft.
The latest code also shows that the system will combine multiple factors to make judgments, rather than just relying on a single signal. Phenomenons including loss of connection with Apple Watch, long-term interruption of the mobile network, and the device continuing to remain unlocked under abnormal circumstances may all be included in the scope of the assessment.
In order to avoid misjudgment, Apple has also added a number of protection mechanisms. For example, if the user has completed biometric verification via Face ID or Touch ID, or the device is performing some normal foreground app operations, the system may treat these conditions as security signals, preventing automatic locking.
Relevant code shows that AutoLock is likely to adopt a decision-making mode similar to a "voting mechanism". Different signals submit separate lock requests, and biometric verification, familiar location, or other trusted status can veto these requests. Only when the system comprehensively determines that the risk of theft is high enough will the automatic locking operation be actually performed.
Once the phone is determined to have been robbed, the device will be locked immediately and the "Stolen Device Protection" mechanism will be automatically enabled. The feature was originally designed to enhance security when users are away from familiar locations such as home and work. Once enabled, access to passwords, credit card information, and other sensitive content will require additional biometric verification, and key operations such as changing Apple account passwords will be subject to additional time limits.
In fact, similar concepts have already appeared on the Android platform. The "theft detection lock function" previously launched by Google can also use the device's motion status to determine whether the phone has been robbed, and automatically lock the device in suspicious circumstances. The new features developed by Apple this time are considered to be a formal response to similar scenarios.
It is unclear when Apple will officially release this feature, or whether it will eventually be available to all users. However, judging from the new code that continues to be added to the iOS 27.2 beta version, Apple is obviously still actively promoting related development work.
As for the cases of mobile phone snatching on the streets that have become more frequent in recent years, if this feature is finally implemented, even if the iPhone is snatched while it remains unlocked in the future, there will be an opportunity to actively lock the device before thieves operate, thereby further protecting user privacy, financial accounts and personal data security.
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