Android 15 comes with a bunch of new features, one of which is the newly introduced Theft Detection Lock. Itโs a security feature meant to protect users from smartphone theft. But instead, itโs causing unexpected headaches for legit phone owners. Some recent user reports suggest it might be triggering too often โ even in normal, everyday situations.
Android 15โs Theft Detection feature is annoying more and more users
The Theft Detection Lock in Android 15 uses AI and sensor data โ mainly the phoneโs accelerometer, as Android Authority helpfully explains โ to detect sudden movements that might suggest a theft. For example, if someone snatches a phone and runs, bikes away, or drives off, the system automatically locks the device. This prevents unauthorized access and making it harder for thieves to disable tracking. The feature can also kick in if the phone goes offline โ a common tactic used by thieves to avoid detection.
However, users have started reporting that the Theft Detection Lock is activating during routine activities. On Reddit and other forums, several people have described their phones locking while jogging, commuting, or just rushing out of work. โItโs happened to me when I ran out of work,โ one user noted. Another wrote, โI was sitting on the bus when the auto theft detect detected theft and it locked on me.โ
Google has confirmed that the Theft Detection Lock relies heavily on detecting abrupt motion through accelerometer data โ which could explain the rise in false positives during normal, everyday movement. With Samsung set to begin rolling out One UI 7.0 based on Android 15 starting April 7, more Galaxy users might soon experience the effects of this feature firsthand. Thatโs why Google is expected to fine-tune the system to better distinguish between actual theft and routine motion.
