How to Use Lockdown Mode on iPhone, iPad, and Mac (and Why You Don’t Want To)

Lockdown mode severely restricts your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to increase security. But who is it aimed at, how does it work, how to activate it and what are the disadvantages?

Note: At the time of writing in September 2022, this feature is available on iPhone running iOS 16. However, it won’t be available on iPad until iPadOS 16.1 rolls out later in fall 2022. Until it arrives, you won’t have access to lockdown mode on your iPad. Also, macOS Ventura will not be available as of mid-September 2022 but is expected to be released in October 2022.

What is lockdown mode?

Apple describes lockdown mode as “a special extra layer of protection for users who are at risk of highly targeted cyberattacks from private companies developing government-sponsored mercenary spyware,” and admits the mode was designed to provide a “very… small number of users”.

This extreme level of protection is designed to benefit those at risk of being tracked by governments or private companies using tools like NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware. Apple is in the process of suing NSO Group in hopes of “curbing the abuse of government-sponsored spyware.”

Once enabled, lockdown mode restricts many standard features to limit entry points for potential spyware. This contains:

• Block most types of message attachments (except images).
• Disable link previews in messages.
• Disable just-in-time (JIT) JavaScript elements unless you exclude a trusted website.
• Block incoming invitations, service requests, and FaceTime calls from unknown contacts (unless you’ve previously initiated a contact).
• Limit wired connections to computers and accessories.
• Remove shared albums from photos.
• Prevent a device from being enrolled in mobile device management (MDM), as used by many corporate devices.
• Prevent a device from installing configuration profiles, such as those used to preview beta versions of iOS.

Apple states that these restrictions are included “at launch” in lockdown mode, which could indicate that the company intends to include more restrictions in future releases.

Available with iOS 16, iPadOS 16.1 and macOS Ventura

Lockdown mode is available for all iPhones and iPads compatible with iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, and all Mac models compatible with macOS Ventura. That means the second-generation iPhone 8 and iPhone SE or later, the fifth-generation iPad and iPad mini, the third-generation iPad Air, and all models of the iPad Pro.

You must update your iPhone, iPad, or Mac with the Software Update feature before you can use Lockdown Mode. If you have an older device that isn’t compatible with the update, you may still receive security updates to close known vulnerabilities, but you’re missing out on this newer extreme level of protection.

TIED TOGETHER: Will iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 run on my iPhone or iPad?

How to activate lockdown mode

Enabling lockdown mode is easy no matter what device you’re using. On an iPhone or iPad, go to the Settings > Privacy & Security menu, then scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap “Lockdown Mode” followed by the “Turn on Lockdown Mode” button.

You will now see a pop-up window informing you of the restrictions you wish to enable. To continue, use the “Turn on lockdown mode” button and then click “Turn on and restart” to confirm your decision.

On a Mac, the process is almost identical. Go to System Preferences > Privacy & Security, then click “Lockdown Mode” followed by “Turn On” before prompting you to restart your Mac.

Once your iPhone, iPad, or Mac has restarted, lockdown mode will be on. You can turn it off again by going to the “Privacy & Security” menu and reversing your decision.

A balance between security and privacy

Lockdown mode is a security feature designed to prevent zero-day exploits from compromising your device. Due to its restrictive nature, using lockdown mode leaves something of a fingerprint that could expose those who use it.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) announced that its web fingerprinting tool Cover Your Tracks can detect when an iPhone owner uses lock mode due to limitations introduced for the Safari browser.

The EFF explained that the lockdown mode limits potential entry points that could become targets for spyware and other malware authors. One of these is the ability to load custom fonts that can be used to take advantage of a web browser’s rendering engine. The EFF found that it’s easy to use JavaScript to detect whether a font is blocked or not.

Combined with the browser’s user agent and other device information left behind when visiting a website, the EFF was able to determine that an iPhone owner is indeed using lockdown mode. The concern here is that it could paint a target on a person’s back, drawing attention not to the information left behind, but to the way lockdown mode is attempting to secure their device.

This illustrates a disadvantage of using lockdown mode as it gives away a user’s privacy to increase overall security. The EFF goes on to say that “Apple’s introduction of this powerful new protection is a welcome development for those who need it most,” but that “users should also be mindful of the information they are exposing to the internet” when choosing to do so decide it on.

If you’re curious about online privacy and how trackers view your browser, test your browser with the Cover Your Tracks tool.

Lockdown mode is unnecessary for most

The good news is that the vast majority of people don’t need to worry about lockdown mode. Apple states that “very few” people are exposed to the type of attacks this mode is designed to prevent, and most are still able to fully use their iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Forget about lockdown mode for now and check out the best iOS 16 features to try right away.