iPhone has secret ‘extreme’ mode that Apple says is so powerful ‘most people’ never need it – it takes seconds to find
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MILLIONS of iPhones are hiding a powerful "extreme protection" mode built to block hackers. Apple says the little-known setting "hardens your iPhone from a cyberattack" – and it's totally free to use. The feature is called Lockdown Mode and was added in 2022 as part of the iOS 16 update.
![[Lockdown Mode can be found at the very bottom of Privacy & Security in your Settings app]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/iphone-lockdown-mode-001.jpg?strip=all&w=472)
It's so powerful that even Apple admits that "most people" will never need it. Apple explains: "Lockdown Mode is optional and should be used only if you believe you might be targeted by a highly sophisticated cyberattack. "Such as by a private company developing state-sponsored mercenary spyware.
"Most people are never targeted by attacks of this nature.". Apple says that your iPhone won't function like it normally does if you turn Lockdown Mode on. But it's a worthwhile trade-off if you're targeted by what Apple describes as "extremely rare and highly sophisticated cyber attacks".
![[Apple shares a long list of features that will stop working properly when you try to activate Lockdown Mode]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/iphone-lockdown-mode-003.jpg?strip=all&w=471)
Lockdown Mode makes sweeping changes to how your device works. For instance, most message attachment types will be blocked. And features like links and link previews in texts won't work either. Some websites won't load properly, and FaceTime calls are blocked from anyone that you haven't previously called.
![[You'll need to restart your iPhone for Lockdown Mode to take effect]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/iphone-lockdown-mode-004.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Your iPhone won't automatically join "non-secure" Wi-Fi networks, and location information will be scrubbed from photos that you share. Apple says Lockdown Mode affects the following features:. Here's how to do it... Just go to the Apple menu then choose System Settings.
