How Lockdown Mode on iPhone Can Ward Off a Cyberattack
Updated: Jun. 11, 2024
While iPhones have robust security, standard privacy settings may not be enough to stop targeted attacks by sophisticated hackers. That's where Lockdown Mode comes in.
Our mobile devices are convenient gateways to our personal and professional lives, but it’s easy to forget just how vulnerable they are—something cybercriminals are banking on. They’re hoping that you don’t suspect their email is actually spam or that you open an attachment loaded with malware. Once you do, they can infiltrate your iPhone, stealing your information and even taking control of your accounts or devices. That’s why Lockdown Mode on iPhone can come in handy.
As its name suggests, it locks down your phone to protect it from potential threats. But is this strict security measure really necessary for the average iPhone user? And if so, when should you use it it? Reader’s Digest spoke with cybersecurity consultant Reade Taylor, the president of Cyber Command, and Taimur Ijal, an iCloud security consultant, to find out more about this tech tip. Ahead, learn exactly what your phone will—and won’t—do in Lockdown Mode and how to activate it to stay safe.
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About the experts
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What is Lockdown Mode on iPhone?
Lockdown Mode is an extreme security measure for Apple users who are at a high risk of sophisticated malware attacks. An optional feature for iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura and newer operating systems, “it disables many features that could be exploited by malware or spyware,” says Taylor. As a result, when you activate it, your device won’t function like it typically does, and some experiences will not be available at all.
“This mode plays a crucial defensive role, particularly against zero-click attacks—sophisticated cyber attacks that do not require user interaction to execute,” explains Taylor. “It disables certain functionalities like previewing links or receiving certain types of messages, which are pathways for malicious actions. This preemptive disabling is essential in protecting sensitive information against state-level cyber threats or sophisticated hackers.”
Who should use Lockdown Mode?
Generally speaking, Lockdown Mode is best for those who have sensitive information and communications on their devices. Think: government employees, military personnel and high-level employees or managers.
Lockdown Mode is probably overkill for most users, but it’s still worth knowing how to use, especially if you suspect hackers may be targeting you, says Taylor. Scammers will often pose as official institutions in order to request personal information, a tactic known as phishing. If you receive an unsolicited or suspicious message and it looks like it may not be genuine (perhaps because it came from an unfamiliar number or strange email address), you could be at risk. This would be a good time to activate Lockdown Mode to protect yourself while you figure out what’s going on.
You may also want to use this mode in certain scenarios, like at a cybersecurity conference or when you’re visiting a geopolitically sensitive area. In this case, Lockdown Mode will be a useful preventative measure, “[converting] the iPhone from a potential security risk to a more secure communication tool,” says Taylor. You can simply turn it on for a limited time, then deactivate it once you feel you no longer need it.
How does my iPhone work during Lockdown Mode?
While your phone will perform basic functions such as calling, texting and emailing, certain apps and features will be severely limited or even disabled. “Lockdown Mode restricts how apps, messages and webpages can access your data and device,” says Ijlal. “By acting as a digital firewall, it helps block common infection vectors like phishing pages and downloads containing malware.”
Here’s what will affected by Lockdown Mode:
Messaging apps
When active, Lockdown Mode allows only select images, videos and audio files to come through. Message attachments such as hyperlinks and link previews are unavailable in Lockdown Mode; links appear as plain text, meaning you can’t click or tap on them to open them. It also affects web browsing, and some communication apps may not work correctly, leading to slower load times or missing images and text in emails, texts and WhatsApp messages.
FaceTime calls and app invitations
Lockdown Mode blocks incoming FaceTime calls unless the user has already contacted that person. The same goes for invitations for Apple services like SharePlay and managing smart-home devices using the Home app. If you have previously invited a person to a FaceTime call or one of these apps, you will continue to receive invitations from that individual. However, when Lockdown Mode is active, you will not receive any invitations to Apple services from people you have not previously sent invitations to.
Photo sharing
Lockdown Mode also limits photo sharing, and not just in the Messages app. Shared albums will temporarily be inaccessible via the Photos app while your phone is in Lockdown Mode. You can’t send new invitations for shared albums either, but you can still view these albums on devices that don’t have Lockdown Mode turned on. Remember to re-enable shared albums when you turn off Lockdown Mode if you wish to access them on your device.
Connecting your device
In Lockdown Mode, you must unlock your device to connect your iPhone or iPad to an accessory or another computer. Explicit approval is required for Mac laptops with Apple silicon chips. Furthermore, you can’t install new configuration profiles for school or corporate networks; in fact, you may have to disable Lockdown Mode if a school or employer requires you to do so to access their network. The same goes for enrolling your device in Mobile Device Management while in Lockdown Mode.
How to enable Lockdown Mode on your iPhone
- Head to Settings > Privacy & Security.
- Select Lockdown Mode at the bottom.
- Tap Turn On Lockdown Mode, then confirm it again when prompted.
- Tap Turn On & Restart, then enter your device passcode to finish.
To exit Lockdown Mode, follow the same steps but select “Turn Off Lockdown Mode” when prompted.
FYI, when Lockdown Mode is enabled, you’ll receive notifications when an app or feature becomes limited, and a banner in Safari will indicate that Lockdown Mode is on.
| ♦ Pro tip |
| You’ll need to enable Lockdown Mode separately on each device you want to secure—iPhone, iPad and Mac computers. It will not automatically activate across all devices associated with your Apple account. |
Staying safe online
Like any security measure, Lockdown Mode isn’t a cure-all that will protect against every potential threat. Ijlal stresses that even when using Lockdown Mode, you need to remain vigilant. “While Lockdown Mode strengthens the iPhone’s natural defenses, cybercriminals are still working hard to find new ways in,” he says. “Using complex passwords, updating software promptly and avoiding suspicious links are core practices that supplement the mode’s protections.”
Why trust us
Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of articles on personal technology, arming readers with the knowledge to protect themselves against cybersecurity threats and internet scams as well as revealing the best tips, tricks and shortcuts for computers, cellphones, apps, texting, social media and more. For this piece on when to use Lockdown Mode on iPhone, Lucas Coll tapped his experience as a longtime tech journalist and interviewed cybersecurity experts. We rely on credentialed experts with personal experience and know-how as well as primary sources including tech companies, professional organizations and academic institutions. We verify all facts and data and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Reade Taylor, cybersecurity specialist, former IBM Internet Security Systems engineer and founder of Cyber Command; email interview, May 7, 2024
- Taimur Ijlal, information security leader at Netify, SRC Consultant at Amazon Web Services and cybersecurity instructor; email interview, May 2024
- Apple: “About Lockdown Mode”
- Apple: “Harden your iPhone from a cyberattack with Lockdown Mode”
Originally Published: April 28, 2023
