What Is Lockdown Mode on iPhone, and How To Enable It

The iPhone is widely regarded as one of the most secure smartphones available, thanks to features like the Secure Enclave, which protects biometric data even if the system is compromised. Its closed-source operating system and long-term software support (often exceeding five years) further strengthen its defenses. As a result, approximately 98% of mobile malware targets Android devices instead.

Apple offers additional protection for high-risk users through Lockdown Mode, an advanced feature that significantly reduces potential attack surfaces. In this guide, we’ll explain what Lockdown Mode on iPhone does, how to enable it, and when it’s worth using.

What Is Lockdown Mode on iPhone?

Lockdown Mode is an advanced security feature launched in 2022. It is created as an optional, protective measure against targeted and highly sophisticated spyware attacks. Since these attacks are rare, most users will never need this kind of protection.

This feature is not available on all devices, but all newer models have it, including:

• • iOS 16 or later
• • iPadOS 16 or later
• • watchOS 10 or later
• • macOS Ventura or later

What Does Lockdown Mode Do?

Lockdown Mode locks down your phone by restricting features and actions that could be exploited by spyware to access sensitive and private information. Some of the apps and functionalities may be limited or behave differently when Lockdown mode is enabled. Even some basic features, such as calls and messages, might be affected to some extent to enhance security.

Here’s a quick look at what will change when you turn on lockdown mode on iPhone:

When Should the Lockdown Mode Be Used?

Since Lockdown Mode is an advanced security feature, not all users will see the need or decide to enable it; however, it remains a valuable option for those with security concerns. It is primarily designed for individuals who could be at a high risk of targeted digital attacks or surveillance, such as:

• • Journalists
• • Activists
• • Human rights workers
• • Protesters
• • Government employees
• • Defense contractors

Anyone concerned with privacy can use this feature to strengthen their device’s security. It’s particularly useful in higher-risk situations. For example, when traveling to regions with increased digital surveillance or connecting to public Wi-Fi networks where you want an extra layer of protection beyond a VPN.

How To Use Lockdown Mode On iPhone

Enabling the Lockdown Mode is fairly simple. With only a few adjustments to your settings, you can turn it on and off at will. For complete protection, ensure your device is updated to the latest software.

How To Turn On Lockdown Mode on iPhone

Here are the steps you should take to enable iPad’s or iPhone’s Lockdown Mode:

1. 1. Go to Settings
2. 1. Select Privacy & Security
3. 1. At the bottom, you’ll find Lockdown Mode
4. 1. Select Turn on Lockdown Mode
5. 1. Tap Turn On & Restart
6. 1. Enter your phone’s passcode

If you have an Apple Watch paired to your phone, Lockdown Mode will automatically apply to the paired watch. However, the device must be running watchOS 10 or later.

How To Remove Lockdown Mode on iPhone

When you feel ready to bring back your phone to its old self, follow these steps to turn off the Lockdown Mode:

1. 1. Go to Settings
2. 1. Select Privacy & Security
3. 1. Scroll to Lockdown Mode
4. 1. Click Turn off Lockdown Mode
5. 1. Confirm by tapping Turn Off & Restart

How To Exclude Trusted Apps and Websites From Lockdown Mode

While you’re using Lockdown Mode, you can still allow certain apps and websites in Safari to bypass the activated limitations.

If you’d like to exclude a website from Lockdown Mode while you're browsing, here’s what you need to do:

1. 1. Click the Page Menu button
2. 1. Select the More button to open the Page Menu
3. 1. Turn off Lockdown Mode for that website

Besides websites, your apps can also be affected by the Lockdown Mode. Luckily, you have the option to exclude the apps you want from such limitations. You can also edit your excluded websites at any time. Here’s how:

1. 1. Open the Settings
2. 1. Select Privacy & Security
3. 1. Under Security, click Lockdown Mode
4. 1. Select Configure Web Browsing
5. 1. To exclude an app, turn it off (the list only includes apps you’ve opened since turning the Lockdown Mode on and that have limited features)
6. 1. To edit excluded websites, select Excluded Safari Websites, and then click Edit

Does Lockdown Mode Stop Hackers?

The Lockdown Mode doesn’t make your phone resistant to hacking, but it notably reduces the chances of any kind of cyberattack. Since it’s designed for high-end spyware, it minimizes the “attack surface,” that is, it blocks the most common entry points (such as message attachments, requests from unknown people, and unsafe websites).

However, the Lockdown Mode also limits your phone’s functionality, so it’s generally not worth the trade-off, at least for most people. You can find other ways to increase your iPhone’s security that don’t come with such drawbacks, and we’ve covered some of the most effective practices in our guide on mobile security.

Is There a Lockdown Mode On Mac?

MacOS also comes with the Lockdown Mode functionality. As long as you have macOS Ventura or later, you can activate it and raise the shield against sophisticated cyberattacks; just keep in mind that you’ll face the same limitations as on iPhone.

If you decide to turn it on nevertheless, follow these steps:

1. 1. Go to the Apple menu and click System Settings
2. 1. From the sidebar, select Privacy & Security
3. 1. Scroll down, and tap Lockdown Mode
4. 1. Click Turn on Lockdown Mode, and enter the user password if needed
5. 1. Click Turn On & Restart

What Are the Main Limitations of Lockdown Mode?

The Lockdown Mode prioritizes protection, which directly affects the convenience. While most basic functionalities, such as making calls and sending texts, will generally work as usual, you may encounter issues with features that rely on internet connectivity or device-to-device connection and communication.

Let’s take a look at some of the main limitations of using Lockdown mode:

• • Most message attachments and link previews will be blocked
• • Some websites won’t display correctly, or they will load more slowly
• • Certain online images won’t show
• • FaceTime calls and invitations from unknown users will be blocked
• • Shared photos will be removed, and you won’t receive new shared invitations
• • GameCenter will be disabled
• • Your phone won’t automatically join unsecured Wi-Fi networks

Should You Use Lockdown Mode?

Lockdown Mode offers an impressive level of protection, but by reducing the entry points to the bare minimum, it also restricts many essential functions. Limiting activities like web browsing, sharing photos, or connecting with new contacts on FaceTime can make your device less practical for everyday use.

To help you weigh the advantages and limitations, here’s a summary of some of the Lockdown Mode’s main pros and cons:

For most people, these limitations outweigh the benefits. Unless you face a specific or credible threat, less invasive privacy measures are often sufficient.

While Lockdown Mode strengthens your phone’s defenses, it’s only one layer of protection. Your privacy also depends on how your mobile network handles your data. If you want to reinforce security without sacrificing usability, switch to a mobile carrier that prioritizes privacy.

Many carriers have raised privacy concerns due to data-sharing practices and frequent breaches that expose user information. A privacy-first carrier like Cape focuses on protecting user data through modern cryptography and minimal data collection practices.

Cape: The Carrier Built for Limiting Surveillance and Network-Level Threats

Cape is a privacy-first mobile carrier designed to keep your communications safe from surveillance and data misuse. Unlike legacy providers, we don’t harvest your information; our network is built to ensure most data never leaves your device in the first place.

We achieve this through a layered approach that combines advanced encryption, modern protocols, and network-level safeguards:

1. Cloud-Based Mobile Network

Cape runs its own mobile core in the cloud, replacing the outdated legacy infrastructure of traditional carriers. All traffic is routed through Cape’s secure network, making your domestic and international communications far more resistant to interception and attack.

2. SIM Swap Protection

Traditional carriers use outdated authentication methods that leave you vulnerable to risks like SIM swaps. Instead of weak password-based logins, Cape secures your account with asymmetric cryptography.

Your private key stays on your device and is represented by a 24-word recovery phrase, required for any major account changes. Because Cape employees cannot access it, only you can authorize actions like SIM ports, removing one of the most common attack vectors.

3. Enhanced Signaling Protection

Cape’s proprietary signaling proxy filters network requests in real time, rejecting suspicious activity and blocking attempts at location tracking, call or SMS interception, and identifier extraction.

4. Private Payment

When you pay for Cape, we don’t collect your name or billing address. Instead, Stripe tokenizes your payment details so they’re never stored by Cape or tied to your account.

5. Encrypted Voicemail

Voicemails, including the content and critical metadata, are encrypted and can only be decrypted with the private key stored only on your device.

6. Minimal-Trust Model

Traditional carriers demand blind trust and collect vast amounts of personal data from the moment you subscribe. Cape flips the model, letting you sign up anonymously and protecting your communications with built-in security, so your data stays private—even from us.

Cape Safeguards Against Law Enforcement or Government Data Requests

Cape approaches data requests from law enforcement and government agencies the same way Apple approaches Lockdown Mode: by limiting the attack surface so there’s very little data available in the first place.

As a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), we comply with all legitimate requests but also take every reasonable step to protect you from data misuse or overreach. We safeguard your privacy by retaining only the minimum subscriber data necessary to provide a service, so the information we can share under such requests is inherently limited. You can read our privacy policy for more details.

Additionally, if the law allows, we notify the subscriber of such requests so they can review and challenge the order if necessary. However, if the law/court order prohibits us from notifying the subscriber, we review the request carefully and push back if it’s too broad or exceeds what can be lawfully requested.

To date, we haven’t received any government request that imposed a nondisclosure obligation.

Bonus: Check out Cape’s free private and secure cellular service program for journalists and activists and apply to see if you’re eligible.

Get Cape To Access Unlimited Data, Peak Network Performance

Your $99/month Cape subscription comes with unlimited calls and SMS, 4G/5G data, and free international roaming (for eligible devices and countries).

The service is available for eSIM-enabled devices.

You can visit this page to get started.

To extend protection beyond the network, Cape partners with Proton. Subscribers can get Proton Unlimited or Proton VPN Plus for only $1 for six months.