As usual, 9to5Mac analyzes the code of iOS beta versions with each release. Recently, the website found new references to an anti-theft feature called "AutoLock," which was first mentioned in May 2026. Apple is still developing this feature but has not officially confirmed it. In France, about 600,000 phones are stolen each year, often taken from people in public places like streets or subways. Many of these devices are later sent abroad, where they can still hold value even if they are locked. Stolen Device Protection, introduced in January 2024 with iOS 17.3, helps block thieves who might have seen a user's passcode over their shoulder. However, this feature does not address the scenario where someone physically takes an already unlocked iPhone from a person. According to the code analyzed by 9to5Mac, the iPhone uses multiple signals to determine if it has been taken forcefully. These signals include sudden acceleration, which might indicate a rip, a loss of contact with a paired Apple Watch, a long network interruption, or the device remaining unlocked for too long. These signals act like a "vote" — if one is suspicious, the phone might lock, but other factors can override this, such as successful biometric authentication, a familiar location, or certain apps being open. There is also a safeguard to prevent the phone from locking repeatedly after several close triggers. Essentially, Apple wants to avoid locking the phone every time a user quickly puts it into their pocket. The goal of AutoLock is not to replace Stolen Device Protection but to address its blind spot. While Stolen Device Protection is designed to stop thieves who have memorized a user's passcode, AutoLock targets the scenario where a thief takes an unlocked device and runs. With this feature, the iPhone would return to the locked screen immediately after the theft, giving the thief less time to access the device. However, the specific restrictions AutoLock would apply — such as limiting access to settings, Apple ID, or banking apps — are not yet clear from the code. Therefore, details should be treated with caution. This is not the only security feature Apple is working on in iOS 27. The system can also detect potential identity theft risks. Additionally, in iOS 27.2 beta 2, AutoLock is not yet activatable. Apple has enabled the background service but disabled the component that actually locks the screen, likely to test the feature without inconveniencing users. As a result, the function could still change or might not be released at all. This update comes with the same beta version that finally allows Siri to speak French, although this feature is not available on European iPhones. Apple has not yet scheduled the stable release of iOS 27.2.