Apple is enhancing the security of the iPhone by developing a feature that will automatically lock the device if it detects that it has been forcefully taken from the user. This initiative aims to bolster existing anti-theft measures, which include features like Find My and Activation Lock, that can be less effective if the phone is unlocked during a theft.
The new functionality will utilize various sensors, including the iPhone’s accelerometer, to identify when a theft occurs. It will also consider the proximity to a paired Apple Watch and assess the device's connection to known WiFi networks and familiar locations to determine if it has been taken from its owner. If these conditions indicate a potential theft, the iPhone will lock automatically and restrict access to sensitive areas similar to the Stolen Device Protection protocols.
Details regarding the timeline for the rollout of this feature have not been disclosed, but indications from code reviewed by 9to5Mac suggest that development is currently underway.