The moment someone snatches an iPhone and runs off, the phone locks itself. Apple is reportedly preparing such a feature.
U.S. Apple-focused media outlet 9to5Mac reported on the 26th (local time) that Apple is developing a new anti-snatching feature for the iPhone.
The system automatically detects signs that the device has been stolen and immediately locks the screen. The goal is to prevent thieves from accessing personal information and financial data stored on the phone, even if they get hold of it.
The key lies in how the device makes that judgment. According to 9to5Mac, the new feature uses the iPhone’s built-in accelerometer along with distance information from a paired Apple Watch.
Thieves typically run or ride away quickly right after grabbing a phone. If the iPhone suddenly moves far away from the user’s wrist while unusual movement is detected at the same time, the system is designed to determine that a theft has occurred and lock the device immediately.
This feature works in the same way as Apple’s existing Stolen Device Protection.
When the iPhone is in a place it does not normally visit or connects to an unfamiliar Wi-Fi network, access to certain parts of the device is automatically restricted.
Sensitive actions such as changing the passcode, disabling the Apple account, or checking saved card information require an additional Face ID verification, and the changes only take effect after a certain period of time.
Apple has already introduced multiple layers of protection for lost or stolen iPhones.
The Find My feature can be used to track a phone’s location, and users can also remotely lock the device or erase its data. But this new feature is different. It is the first attempt to have the phone decide on its own that it has been snatched and take action before the user even realizes it has been stolen.
Phone snatching on the street has long been a social problem in major cities such as London, New York, and Paris. Beyond simple device loss, the theft of mobile banking apps and payment information has led to greater secondary damage. Apple’s new feature is seen as a security measure in response to this trend.
The timing of the reveal is close. Apple will hold its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2026 on June 8.
9to5Mac predicted that the new anti-snatching feature could be announced there as part of the next-generation operating system iOS 27. Apple has not officially confirmed the schedule.
Industry watchers interpret the feature as more than just another security addition, because it is built to work by linking the iPhone and Apple Watch.
The wrist-worn device would no longer be just for checking the time; it would also serve as a security sensor for the iPhone. This points to a deeper level of cooperation between devices within the Apple ecosystem.
With major announcements such as a sweeping Siri overhaul and expanded Apple Intelligence expected ahead of WWDC, this anti-snatching feature is likely to draw attention as a practical change that addresses everyday threats rather than a flashy new technology.
A security design built around the moment a phone is snatched on the street is likely to be one of the most immediately noticeable features for users.