Apple Lockdown Mode: Who Needs It and What It Changes

Lockdown Mode is an optional, extreme protection for iPhone, iPad and Mac, and most people should not turn it on. It is designed for the very few people who, because of who they are or what they do, might be personally targeted by the most sophisticated digital attacks. Most people are never targeted in this way.

This guide explains what it does, what you give up, and when it makes sense to use it.

What Lockdown Mode is

Lockdown Mode protects against extremely rare and highly advanced cyber attacks. It works by strictly limiting certain apps, websites and features, which leaves far fewer ways in for the kind of spyware that is built to target one specific person.

It is available on iOS 16 or later, iPadOS 16 or later, watchOS 10 or later and macOS Ventura or later. Extra protections arrive with iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma, so update your devices to the latest software before you turn it on.

Who it is for

Lockdown Mode is for people who might be personally targeted, such as people in public life or people who handle very sensitive information.

It is not a tool against everyday scams. If your worry is a phishing text or a fake delivery message, the normal protections and good habits matter far more than Lockdown Mode.

What changes when it is on

Your device will not work as it normally does. In Messages, most attachment types are blocked other than certain images, video and audio, and links and link previews are unavailable.

Web browsing is limited. Some complex web features are blocked, so some websites may load more slowly or not work properly, and fonts or images may be missing.

FaceTime calls from people you have not called in the past 30 days are blocked, and SharePlay and Live Photos are unavailable. Invitations to Apple services, such as an invitation to help manage a home in the Home app, are blocked unless you have invited that person before. Shared albums are removed from the Photos app, and new shared album invitations are blocked.

An iPhone or iPad must be unlocked before it will connect to an accessory or a computer. Your device will not automatically join Wi-Fi networks that are not secure, and 2G and 3G mobile connections are turned off on iPhone and iPad.

A note for businesses

While Lockdown Mode is on, a device cannot have new settings profiles installed and cannot be added to a business device management system. These are the tools a business uses to set up and look after its devices remotely.

If your business manages its Macs and iPhones centrally, add the device to your management system first, and only then decide whether it needs Lockdown Mode.

How to turn it on

On an iPhone, go to Settings, then Privacy & Security, then Lockdown Mode, and tap Turn On Lockdown Mode. If you have an Apple Watch paired with your iPhone, turning it on for the iPhone also turns it on for the Watch, which needs watchOS 10 or later.

For complete protection, every one of your devices needs Lockdown Mode turned on. If you would like help turning it on or off on an iPad or a Mac, we can walk you through it.

When to use it

Use Lockdown Mode for a defined high-risk period, rather than leaving it on permanently. For a protection that suits nearly everyone, read our guide to Stolen Device Protection on iPhone.

Need a hand?

If you are not sure whether Lockdown Mode suits you or your team, we can talk it through. See our Online Safety & Protection service, or for businesses our Security & Email Protection service, or contact Your Mac Tech.