Kamal Ghorui
Nearly four years after introducing its most extreme security feature, Apple says Lockdown Mode has yet to be successfully breached. As per a report by Tech Crunch, no iPhone has been breached even by sophisticated government-grade spyware.The company confirmed it has not observed a single case where an iPhone or other Apple device running Lockdown Mode was compromised. “We are not aware of any successful mercenary spyware attacks against a Lockdown Mode-enabled Apple device,” Apple spokesperson Sarah O’Rourke told TechCrunch.
What is Lockdown Mode
The feature, launched in 2022, was designed specifically to protect high-risk users—journalists, activists, and officials—from advanced surveillance tools.Lockdown Mode works by aggressively restricting certain device functions often exploited by attackers. It limits message attachments, disables some web technologies, and blocks incoming invitations or connections from unknown sources—essentially shrinking the attack surface.The threat it’s built to counter is serious. Spyware developed by firms like NSO Group, Intellexa, and Paragon Solutions has been used globally to target individuals through so-called “zero-click” attacks—requiring no user interaction.Independent research appears to back Apple’s claims. Investigators at Amnesty International and Citizen Lab say they have not found any instance where spyware successfully breached a device with Lockdown Mode enabled. In some cases, researchers observed attacks being actively blocked—including attempts using Pegasus and Predator spyware.There’s even evidence attackers avoid such devices altogether. Researchers at Google have noted that certain spyware tools will abandon attempts if Lockdown Mode is detected — likely to reduce the risk of exposure.Apple has also stepped up its efforts to notify users of potential attacks, sending alerts to individuals across more than 150 countries, including India, in recent years. While the company hasn’t disclosed exact figures, the scale suggests a persistent and global threat landscape.
How to turn on Lockdown Mode on iPhone
Remember, Lockdown Mode needs to be turned on separately for your iPhone, iPad and Mac. When you turn on Lockdown Mode for your iPhone, it’s automatically turned on for your paired Apple Watch.When you turn on Lockdown Mode for one of your devices, you get prompts to turn it on for your other supported Apple devices. When Lockdown Mode is turned on, you may receive notifications when an app or feature is limited. A banner in Safari indicates that Lockdown Mode is on.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Privacy & Security.
- Scroll down, tap Lockdown Mode, then tap Turn On Lockdown Mode.
- Tap Turn On Lockdown Mode.
- Tap Turn On & Restart, then enter your device passcode.
