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Apple is developing a new anti-theft feature for iPhone that automatically locks a device when the system determines it has been snatched while unlocked. Leaked code reviewed by 9to5Mac indicates the feature will combine signals—accelerometer data, proximity to a paired Apple Watch, connection to familiar Wi-Fi networks, and presence at usual locations like home or work—to detect a ‘grab-and-run’ scenario and immediately lock the phone and restrict sensitive operations. The aim is to shift prote
Automatic anti-theft locking could reduce device theft losses and data exposure, affecting device security policies and incident response. Developers and device management teams must consider new OS behaviors for authentication flows and app access.
Dossier last updated: 2026-06-01 11:29:32
Apple is developing a new anti-theft feature for iPhone that automatically locks a device when the system determines it has been snatched while unlocked. Leaked code reviewed by 9to5Mac indicates the feature will combine signals—accelerometer data, proximity to a paired Apple Watch, connection to familiar Wi-Fi networks, and presence at usual locations like home or work—to detect a ‘grab-and-run’ scenario and immediately lock the phone and restrict sensitive operations. The aim is to shift protection from post-theft measures (Find My, Activation Lock) to immediate in-the-moment defenses. The functionality is still in development and no timeline for public release is known.
Apple announced a Global Running Day challenge for Apple Watch users on June 3: record a single run of at least 5 km to unlock a digital trophy and four animated stickers. The reward pack includes stickers showing a person in a dinosaur suit running, two people running together, a person running with a dog, and a colorful “2026 Global Running Day Challenge” badge. Apple allows runs logged via the built-in Workout app or any third-party app that syncs workout data to the Health app, lowering participation barriers. The limited-time event reinforces Apple Watch’s fitness engagement strategy and ecosystem lock-in by using digital collectibles and cross-app compatibility to drive activity and platform usage.
Apple was granted a patent for an integrated underwater optical protection layer designed to reduce imaging distortion when iPhones shoot underwater. The design replaces separate dome ports with a single optical element that covers multiple camera modules, matching local curvature to each lens whether arranged on a flat or curved surface. Making the protective layer a single-piece, single-material component aims to eliminate seams, adhesives and connectors that can introduce leakage risk and optical aberrations. The patent targets shortcomings in third‑party underwater accessories and suggests an in‑device solution that could improve multi‑camera consistency and water resistance for future iPhone models.
Apple has reassigned leadership of its long-running Apple Watch non-invasive blood glucose monitoring project from platform lead Tim Millet to senior engineering lead Zongjian Chen, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports. Chen, who oversees Apple’s Advanced Technologies Group and some hardware like basebands, is seen internally as better suited to push R&D into deliverable products, suggesting the program may be moving from early exploration into concrete development. The project dates back to the Jobs era and aims to measure glucose without finger pricks via sensors. Gurman and IT之家 caution that consumer-ready non-invasive glucose on Apple Watch is not imminent—this year’s releases won’t include it, and a commercial product could still be years away.