Apple Lockdown Mode is the most extreme privacy feature Apple ships. Designed for journalists, activists, executives targeted by state-level spyware. Here's whether you need it + how to use it.
Apple Lockdown Mode (introduced 2022) disables many iPhone/iPad/Mac features to prevent advanced spyware like Pegasus. Designed for journalists, activists, government officials.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: targeted-attack risk users
Lockdown Mode disables: link previews in Messages, FaceTime calls from unknown people, configuration profiles, JIT JavaScript in Safari, and more. For typical users, the trade-offs aren't worth it.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: knowing if you need it
Investigative journalists, foreign correspondents, war reporters. Pegasus spyware has been used against journalists in multiple countries.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: high-risk journalism
Activists in authoritarian regions. Apple has notified high-profile activists they were targeted by state-level spyware.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: human rights work
Government employees, diplomats. State actors actively target these phones.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: government work
Tech CEOs, finance executives can be targeted for industrial espionage. Worth considering for high-profile leaders.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: high-target executives
Scroll to bottom of Privacy & Security settings. Tap Lockdown Mode → Turn On Lockdown Mode → restart device. Reversible anytime.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: when you decide to enable
Lockdown Mode Tutorial →Lockdown Mode protects all three devices. Enable on each independently OR via Family Sharing for high-risk family members.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: protecting all devices
Incoming messages don't show link previews. Most attachment types blocked. Spyware often uses iMessage as entry point.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: anti-Pegasus protection
Calls from numbers not in your contacts go straight to voicemail. Reduces social engineering attack surface.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: unknown-call protection
Just-in-Time JavaScript compilation disabled in Safari. Reduces attack surface but slows down many websites significantly.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: web-browsing security
Can't install Mobile Device Management profiles. Many corporate iPhones rely on these — Lockdown Mode incompatible.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: non-corporate phones
iPhone with Lockdown Mode + locked = USB connections to computers blocked. Prevents physical attacks on confiscated phones.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: travel + border crossings
If you're targeted: leave Lockdown Mode on permanently. The protection is worth the trade-offs.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: targeted users
Enable Lockdown Mode before traveling to high-risk regions (border crossings, certain countries). Disable when back home.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: strategic protection
If Apple notified you of a targeted attack against your iPhone, enable Lockdown Mode immediately. Doesn't matter who you are.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: when Apple notifies you
Lockdown Mode protects against technical attacks. It doesn't stop someone tricking you into giving up your password. Practice good operational security too.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: holistic security
Lockdown Mode doesn't anonymize your traffic. Use VPN/Tor for that. Lockdown Mode + Tor = strong combination.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: anonymity + lockdown
Even with Lockdown Mode, you need: 2FA on all accounts, unique strong passwords, hardware security key for highest-value accounts.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: multi-layered security