One Tech Tip: All you need to know about the iPhone’s Lockdown Mode

Apple’s Lockdown Mode Blocks FBI Access to Reporter’s iPhone

A specialized security feature on iPhones has gained attention after preventing federal authorities from accessing devices seized during an investigation. The FBI was unable to extract data from Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson’s iPhone because it was protected by Apple’s Lockdown Mode, according to court documents.

Agents seized Natanson’s electronic devices, including two MacBooks and her iPhone, during a search of her home last month. The search was part of an investigation into a Pentagon contractor accused of illegally handling classified information. The FBI’s Computer Analysis Response Team reported they “could not extract” data from the iPhone specifically because of the enhanced security measure.

Lockdown Mode represents Apple’s most stringent security offering, described by the company as an “optional, extreme” protection tool designed to defend against “extremely rare and highly sophisticated cyberattacks.” The feature isn’t intended for average users but rather for “very few individuals” who might be targeted because of their profession or profile.

“Most people will never be targeted by attacks of this nature,” Apple states on its support page. The feature works by imposing strict security limitations on applications and features, sometimes making certain functions entirely unavailable to reduce potential attack vectors for advanced spyware.

The security feature is available on Apple’s newer operating systems, including iOS 16 and macOS Ventura. It restricts browser technologies that websites can use and limits photo sharing capabilities, among other protections.

Apple has consistently refused government requests to create backdoor access to its devices. In 2016, the company rejected authorities’ appeal to bypass lockscreen security for an encrypted iPhone belonging to a perpetrator of the San Bernardino terrorist attack. Apple also declined to add functionality that would allow passcodes to be entered electronically, which would enable “brute force” password-cracking attempts.

“It would be wrong to intentionally weaken our products with a government-ordered backdoor,” Apple stated at the time, highlighting the company’s longstanding commitment to user privacy and security.

Cybersecurity experts note that passcodes offer stronger protection against law enforcement access than biometric security measures. Authorities could potentially compel individuals to unlock devices using facial recognition or fingerprint scanners, whereas they cannot legally force disclosure of passcodes.

In Natanson’s case, FBI agents acknowledged they “could not compel her to provide her passcodes,” though their warrant did authorize them “to use Natanson’s biometrics, such as facial recognition or fingerprints, to open her devices.” While Natanson reported not using biometrics for her devices, agents were eventually able to unlock her MacBook using her finger, according to court filings.

Enabling Lockdown Mode requires device owners to update their iPhone, iPad, or MacBook to compatible operating systems. Users must activate the feature separately on each device through the Privacy and Security section of Settings. The process requires entering a passcode rather than using facial recognition or fingerprint scanning, and the device will restart after activation.

When active, Lockdown Mode significantly alters device functionality. Websites may load more slowly or display improperly, with some images and web fonts missing due to blocked “complex web technologies.” Most attachment types in Messages are blocked, and link previews become unavailable. Incoming FaceTime calls are restricted to numbers the user has called within the past month.

The Photos app strips location data from shared images, and shared albums disappear from the interface. The feature also imposes stricter limitations on connections to unsecured Wi-Fi networks and external devices.

For journalists, government officials, activists, and others who might face sophisticated digital threats, Lockdown Mode represents a significant privacy advancement. However, for everyday users, the feature’s restrictions may prove cumbersome without offering substantial additional protection from common security risks.

The case highlights the ongoing tension between law enforcement’s investigative needs and technology companies’ commitment to user privacy—a debate that continues to shape both policy and product development in the digital age.