Android 15’s Theft Detection Lock, designed to foil phone snatchers, may be a little too enthusiastic. Users report the feature is locking them out of their own devices even when no theft is occurring.
The Theft Detection Lock is part of Google’s Android 15 security enhancements. It uses AI and other parameters to detect forceful removal of a phone from its owner.
The system is designed to automatically lock the phone if someone grabs the device and runs, bikes, or drives away. It also triggers when a device goes offline, a common tactic used by thieves to avoid tracking.
Reddit users are reporting frequent false triggers. Several users described instances where their phones locked unexpectedly while still in their possession. One user reported the feature triggered while running from work, another while sitting on a bus.
One user reported their phone locked while jogging across the street, triggering a theft notification. They remarked that the system seems overly sensitive, despite its effectiveness when accurately triggered.
Google has stated the Theft Detection Lock predominantly uses the phone’s accelerometer to detect sudden movements or directional changes. Android Authority’s early tests required multiple simulated theft attempts to activate the lock, suggesting Google may have increased the algorithm’s sensitivity.
False triggers during activities such as running or commuting could be attributed to the accelerometer’s sensitivity. Google may need to refine the feature to improve reliability, as unexpected lockouts can be disruptive.
