What is Lockdown Mode in iPhone? How to Enable it?

With each new release of iOS, Apple raises the bar with its innovative features. Cybersecurity threats have become a new normal these days, and to curb this, Apple has a feature Lockdown Mode for all its devices, including iPhone, iPad, and others.

This feature first came with iOS 16 and Apple is quite happy to extend it to upcoming new versions of iOS. In this post, we will discuss what Lockdown mode means, its pros and cons, and how to enable it on your iPhone.

iPhone vs. Android: Which one is more secure?

What is Lockdown Mode on iPhone?

This is an extreme, optional protection that would work to safeguard you against a highly sophisticated cyberattack. Exploiters mostly perform such attacks on those persons who are in high-stake-holding positions. If you are a regular guy, you need not worry about this.

Features of Lockdown Mode

When your iPhone is in Lockdown Mode, apps, websites, and features will be strictly limited for security, and some experience will be completely unavailable.

Some key securities that this mode provides are as follows –

1. FaceTime Fortress:

An incoming Facetime call from people who never interacted before will simply be blocked. Your iPhone/iPad will disable some key features and they are – SharePlay and Live Photos.

2. Message Fortification:

iPhone’s native messaging app will permit only the sharing of images, links, and some other specified content. Messages containing any attachments will be straightforwardly sent to the Junk folder.

3. Photos Secrecy:

The Lockdown mode forces the Photos app on your iPhone to get rid of features like Shared Albums. Moreover, this further introduces a blockade against new shared album invitations. By doing so, it adds an extra layer of privacy to your visual memories.

Note: None of your photos will bear any information about the location where exactly an image is shot.

4. Device Connections:

As long as your iPhone is locked, exploiters can’t access any of your sensitive information using wired connections. This happens because all external connections are simply blocked.

5. Web Browsing Vigilance:

Enabled Lockdown Mode on iPhone further strengthens your Safari browser by adding certain advanced, performance-boosting technologies. Overall, you will find it a bit difficult to browse things that are restricted or blocked.

6. Apple Services Shield:

Unwanted invitations to join Apple services find themselves barred at the gate, unless, of course, you had previously extended an invitation to the sender.

7. Profile Protection:

Configuration profiles, often utilized for installing beta or modified versions of your device’s operating system, are rendered impotent under Lockdown Mode’s watchful eye.

Benefits and Disadvantages of this Lockdown Mode

Lockdown mode in iPhone has its fair share of pros and cons. The important ones are discussed below –

Benefits:

Powerful Security: Tailored for those who face potent cyber threats.
Proactive Recommendations: Apple reaches out to recommend Lockdown Mode for those who may need it.
Built-in Convenience: Integrated seamlessly into iOS and iPadOS, eliminating the need for additional software.

Issues:

Version Limitation: Operates solely on iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and newer iterations.
Functionality Sacrifice: Significantly curtails key features when activated.
Not Infallible: It should be viewed as one layer of security among others, not a standalone shield.

Should you enable the Lockdown mode on your iPhone?

The Lockdown mostly suits the ones who are in high-stake positions, including Politicians, Journalists, Activists, and Dissidents. If you are in either of these positions, we suggest turning on this Lockdown mode on your iPhone. Enabled Lockdown mode will serve to prevent you from adversaries seeking unauthorized access to sensitive data.

On the other hand, if you are an average user, enabling Lockdown mode will just consume more and more system resources with no apparent benefits. After all, Apple works magnificently to curb phishing and scams and hence you don’t need anything extra than that.

How to enable Lockdown Mode in your iPhone

Now that you know what Lockdown Mode means, and what are its pros and cons, here’s a quick guide on how to turn on this feature on your iPhone –

Unlock your iPhone first and tap over the Settings icon.
Scroll down to Privacy & Security and tap over it.

Scroll down again to the bottom i.e. Security, and tap over the Lockdown Mode.

Here, you will a brief description of what this mode means. In case, you want to know more about it, click on the link – Learn more.
Next, click On Turn on Lockdown mode.

A new flyout window will appear on your iPhone. Well, scroll down and click “Turn On Lockdown Mode” again.
When a confirmation window appears, click Turn On & Restart.