My phone detects going on a run as “someone snatching my phone and running off”
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
A recent phone update misidentifies running as theft, instantly locking the screen.
Fabian Giesen reports that after a recent update, his phone detects him going on a run as someone snatching his phone and running off. This instantly locks the screen and kicks him out of the app he uses to pace his runs. He finds no way to turn this behavior off, and the global toggle for the feature was already disabled. Commenters share similar experiences, including laptop being reported as left behind when it is in a rucksack, and a car system that bricked itself after ferry travel.
What commenters are saying
Commenters debate whether the theft-detection feature is necessary, citing real prevalence in cities like London (U.K.) and Brazil. Others criticize poor sensitivity and lack of user control. Several note the irony of Google engineers not running; Google Maps often prioritizes absurd transit routes over short walks. Practical advice includes using iOS's 'Require Face ID' or Android's Private Space to lock financial apps and email separately. A commenter shares that phone snatching in London is a major problem, with two thieves snatching their phone from a wide sidewalk.