Apple's hidden Lockdown Mode sharply cuts spyware risk, but it also switches off everyday features, and Apple says most people do not need it.
Your iPhone has a hidden setting called Lockdown Mode that makes it much harder for spyware to get in. Apple calls it an "extreme" layer of security, and it is not meant for most people. It has been around since 2022. It is built for a small group who may be targeted, such as journalists, activists and politicians.
Spyware is software that secretly watches what you do on a phone. One well-known example is NSO's Pegasus. This kind of spyware usually targets public figures and is often used by governments that want to spy on opponents or protesters. Lockdown Mode works by shutting off many features that attackers could use as a way in.
Wired connections are disabled while the phone is locked. Your iPhone also stops joining unsecured networks on its own. Apple Watch will not show phone call notifications from the iPhone. Home invitations and Game Center are unavailable, and photo sharing is restricted.
In 2023, an exploit known as Blastpass used iMessage to install Pegasus on Apple devices. Researchers found that devices in Lockdown Mode were completely immune. Apple also pays a 100 percent bonus on top of the regular reward in its Security Bounty program to anyone who finds a way around the feature.
You need an iPhone running iOS 16 or newer. Open Settings, tap Privacy & Security, scroll to Lockdown Mode, then tap Turn On & Restart and enter your passcode. You turn it off in the same place. You can exempt certain contacts, websites and apps, so family can still send videos or documents. Each exemption makes the phone a little more exposed.
For most people, the answer is no. Apple devices already have many built-in security and privacy protections. If you think you could be a spyware target, turn it on and keep every default restriction. Apple may also send a notification if it believes you have been targeted. If you are just curious, try it for a few days. The inconveniences may not be worth protection few people need.
Unless you are a likely spyware target, your iPhone's normal protections are enough, but you can try Lockdown Mode for a few days.
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