Apple develops iPhone anti-snatching feature AutoLock

Apple is continuing to develop an iPhone feature called AutoLock that is intended to automatically lock a device when its software detects a possible snatching, according to references in iOS 27.2 beta 2. The feature has not been announced by Apple and is not available to users; code reports indicate that the component responsible for locking the phone remains disabled in the beta. The code suggests AutoLock would assess several signals rather than act on a single movement. These may include a sudden burst of acceleration, a paired Apple Watch becoming unreachable, prolonged loss of network connectivity and an iPhone remaining unlocked for an unusually long time. The signals are described as part of a system in which possible theft indicators can request a lock. Safeguards could weigh against that request when they suggest the owner still has control of the device. The reported code includes successful biometric authentication, activity in certain foreground apps and whether the phone is in a familiar location. It also refers to a temporary backoff after repeated automatic locks.