Our iPhones and iPads are used on a daily basis and therefore will have some of our most sensitive information and data on them. These could be photos and videos in our photo library, files and documents stored locally on the device, contact information, credit cards, bank accounts and passwords — anything you don’t want others to get their hands on, probably on your device. That’s why it’s more important than ever to make sure your data is safe, and turning on a strong passcode and Touch ID or Face ID is just one step away. But Apple is taking security to a whole new level in the next iteration of software updates. Apple has announced that a “Lock Mode” is coming this fall for iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura. The company is also confident enough in this new feature that it is offering a $2 million reward through the Apple Security Bounty program for any researcher who can manage to bypass the new locking feature. If you have iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 on your current iPhone or iPad, see how to turn on the lock feature. Apple occasionally offers updates to iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS as closed developer previews or public betas. While betas contain new features, they also contain pre-release bugs that can prevent normal use of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, or Mac, and are not intended for everyday use on a mainstream device. That’s why we strongly recommend staying away from developer previews unless you need them for software development, and use public betas with caution. If you depend on your devices, wait for the final version.
What is Lockdown Mode and who is it for?
So what is lock mode? Essentially, it’s a very strict security feature designed to protect those who are most vulnerable or at risk from “highly targeted cyber attacks,” especially from private companies that have developed government-sponsored spyware. The target group includes journalists, activists and even government employees. However, the lock feature is optional and available to anyone who just wants to add the tightest level of security to their device. Once the lock mode is activated, the device is in an “extreme” level of security because it severely limits or completely disables certain features, apps, and even websites. The Lockdown feature has been added to the third developer beta of iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, and it will affect:
Messages: Most message attachments are blocked except for images. Link previews and other features may also be unavailable. FaceTime: Incoming FaceTime calls from people you haven’t called before are blocked. Web Browsing: Some web technologies and browsing features are blocked. This may include more complex features such as certain forms of JavaScript. Shared albums: Shared albums will be removed from the Photos app and new invitations to Shared albums will be blocked. Device Connections: Wired connections to another device or accessory while your iPhone or iPad is locked are blocked. Apple Services: Incoming invitations from others to Apple Services that you have not previously connected to are blocked. Profiles: Configuration profiles such as school or work profiles cannot be installed.
These are just the beginning of the protections Apple has in place with Lockdown Mode. Apple has stated that more restrictions will be added to the lock feature over time.
How to Enable Lock Mode on iPhone or iPad
Remember, even though Lockdown is aimed at those at risk of cyber-attacks, anyone can activate Lockdown. If you have the latest iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 developer beta, here’s how to enable the lock feature. As you can see, when you enable the lock function, you will need to restart your iPhone or iPad. Once this is done, your device will be restricted to certain features, apps and websites as mentioned above.
More security is always welcome
Since our devices can contain such sensitive data, it’s important to keep that information secure. The first step is to always have a passcode or passcode on your device, then make sure you have Touch ID or Face ID enabled. There are other security measures you can take, such as turning off Location Services, turning on App Tracking Transparency, and more. But the Lockdown feature takes things to a whole new level when it comes to security. This new security feature will greatly limit and restrict access to the device for certain functions, apps and websites, which can be very useful for certain situations. Again, while it is intended for a small number of users, anyone can enable it if they prefer.
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