What is Lockdown Mode on iPhone and how do you enable it?

Apple’s Lockdown Mode for iPhone is getting a lot of attention this week.

On Wednesday, 404 Media reported that the FBI has so far been unable to access the seized iPhones Washington Post Reporter during investigation. Barrier to entry? The publisher reports that the phone has Lockdown Mode enabled, a feature that Apple added in 2022 as a massive personal protection against sophisticated cyberattacks.

Added by Apple with iOS 16, Lockdown Mode was launched as “an extreme, alternative protection for a very small number of users who face serious, targeted threats to their digital security,” meaning journalists, government officials, and other professionals who are at high risk of being personally targeted by mercenary spyware.

However, while Lockdown Mode launched for this particular group of iPhone users, the feature has since been rolled out to everyone – although Apple warns it as an “extreme security” if you think you’re being targeted in a cyberattack.

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Lockdown mode limits certain functionalities on your iPhone – it’s also available for iPad and Mac – including restricting or blocking certain apps, websites, and features. so be careful.

How does lockdown mode affect your iPhone?

If you have Lockdown Mode enabled, Apple says:

• Message attachments are blocked unless they are video, images, or audio.

• Phone calls and plain text messages work, but incoming calls won’t ring on a paired Apple Watch.

• Incoming FaceTime calls are blocked if the device owner has not called the number within the last 30 days.

• Link previews are disabled in messages.

• Wired connections with the computer/laptop are blocked if the iPhone is locked.

• If you share an image the photo location data will be deleted, and shared albums will be removed from the Photos app – you can still view these on other devices.

• Live photos are not available.

• Company IT teams can’t monitor these devices – configuration profiles can’t be set up, and phones can’t be added to the company’s remote mobile device management (MDM).

• Your iPhone will not automatically join non-secure Wi-Fi networks.

• 2G and 3G mobile support is closed.

• Invitations to Apple services apps like the Home app will be blocked unless you’ve invited the person first.

• Internet browsing is limited, although you can exclude an app or website in Safari from being affected and limited by WebKit restrictions. Even if an app or website is blocked by lockdown mode, you can receive notifications.

• Game Center is disabled.

• SharePlay is unavailable.

Now, here’s how to turn it on and off.

How to Enable Lockdown Mode on iPhone

Make sure you have updated your iPhone/iPad/Mac software to the latest iOS and back up your device. Lockdown Mode works with iOS 16 or later, iPadOS 16 or later, watchOS 10 or later, and macOS Ventura or later.

You’ll have to turn on Lockdown mode for each device separately, however, if you enable it on your iPhone, your paired Apple Watch will turn it on automatically.

Subject
cyber security iPhone