What is Lockdown Mode on iPhone & How to Use It

A few days back, several prominent Indian opposition leaders claimed that they received a warning message from Apple stating that state-sponsored attackers might be targeting their iPhones to compromise their privacy. These types of cyberattacks only occur with a very small number of specific individuals and their devices, making them much harder to detect and prevent. To prevent such attacks, Apple, in 2022, introduced a feature called Lockdown mode that aims to safeguard users from privacy-invading spyware likePegasus.

As the name suggests, Lockdown mode limits various features in a bid to improve the security of your iPhone. Keep reading to learn what Lockdown mode on iPhone and iPad is and how to use it.

Prerequisitesto Use Lockdown Mode on iPhone

What is Lockdown Mode on iPhone?

Lockdown mode on iPhone is a security feature introduced with iOS 16, which Apple claims is designed to protect certain individuals who might be getting targeted by some of the most sophisticated digital threats, such as those from the NSO Group and other malicious actors.

With Lockdown mode enabled, youriPhone restricts certain apps and functionalitiesthat put your digital security in danger. Also, just because Apple added this mode, it does not mean it is for everyone, as normally attacks of this nature never target general people.

Turn On Lockdown Mode on iPhone or iPad

Now that you know what is lockdown mode, it is time to learn how to enable it if you think you can be a victim of a state-sponsored digital threat. Follow the steps below:

Note:Once you turn on Lockdown mode on your iPhone, it will automatically get enabled on your other Apple devices signed in with the same Apple ID.

After you have enabled Lockdown mode on your iPhone, you will see a lockdown mode banner in the Safari browser. Plus, you may receive notifications when an app or feature is limited.

How to Exclude Websites from Lockdown Mode

Once lockdown mode is enabled on your iPhone, some apps or features, like Messages, Web Browsing, FaceTime, Photos, and more, may be limited in functionality. But Apple allows you to exclude websites in Safari from being impacted and limited by WebKit restrictions.

While this functionality exists, always make sure to exclude only trusted websites if they are necessary to you. Here are the steps to exclude websites from Lockdown mode on iPhone or iPad:

How to Turn Off Lockdown Mode on iPhone or iPad

Once your iPhone restarts, sign back in and see that the features that were once disabled or limited during the Lockdown mode are now working properly again.

And that’s it. Always remember Apple has designed this feature only for people who are subjected to the most sophisticated digital threats. Thus, knowing how to use this security feature is important in case you are in a group or profession that could be targeted by spyware and other threats.

Vikhyat Rishi

Vikhyat has a bachelor’s degree in Electronic and Communication Engineering and over five years of writing experience. His passion for technology and Apple products led him to Beebom, where he specializes in writing App features, How To’s and app troubleshooting guides for fellow Apple users. When not typing away on his MacBook Pro, he loves exploring the real world.

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