Apple says Lockdown Mode thwarted spyware attacks with a clean slate

Apple says it has not seen a successful spyware attack on any iPhone with Lockdown Mode enabled, a claim it shared with TechCrunch.

Lockdown Mode arrived in 2022 as an opt-in feature for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It was introduced as a stricter security mode for people at high risk of targeted attacks, such as journalists, activists, and government officials.

What Lockdown Mode actually does

Lockdown Mode blocks many common attack routes used by spyware. When enabled, this security feature restricts your device’s functionality aggressively. It blocks most message attachments, disables link previews, and restricts incoming calls and invitations from unknown contacts.

It also prevents automatic connections to unsafe Wi-Fi networks and blocks wired connections when your device is locked. Apple says those restrictions shrink the “attack surface” that spyware usually depends on.

A rare win against advanced spyware

Lockmode has an unusually strong track record. Apart from Apple, Amnesty International’s security lab says it has not seen evidence of such a breach either, and Citizen Lab has documented cases where Lockdown Mode actually blocked sophisticated spyware attacks.

At the same time, the claim does not mean iPhones are impossible to hack. It only applies to devices with Lockdown Mode enabled, and only based on what Apple and researchers have observed so far.

Still, it is a rare moment where a security feature appears to be holding up against some of the most sophisticated attacks. For users who need it, Lockdown Mode is proving to be a powerful line of defense.

Always keep your device updated

Researchers often find that attackers target devices that have not been updated in time. In fact, recent reports showed that iPhones running older versions of iOS 18 were vulnerable to the “DarkSword” exploit kit.

It is a reminder that while features like Lockdown Mode offer strong protection, not everyone uses it, which makes regular software updates even more important.