Apple says no iPhone has been hacked when this feature is turned on

Nearly four years after introducing its most extreme security feature, Apple says Lockdown Mode has yet to be successfully breached. As per a report by Tech Crunch, no iPhone has been breached even by sophisticated government-grade spyware.

The company confirmed it has not observed a single case where an iPhone or other Apple device running Lockdown Mode was compromised. “We are not aware of any successful mercenary spyware attacks against a Lockdown Mode-enabled Apple device,” Apple spokesperson Sarah O’Rourke told TechCrunch.

The feature, launched in 2022, was designed specifically to protect high-risk users—journalists, activists, and officials—from advanced surveillance tools.

Lockdown Mode takes an unusually hardline approach to security. Instead of trying to balance usability and protection, it deliberately strips away functionality to minimise risk. Message attachments are restricted, certain web technologies are disabled, and incoming invitations or connections from unknown sources are blocked outright. The idea is simple: reduce the number of ways an attacker can get in, even if it means making the device less convenient to use.

That level of protection is designed to counter a very real and growing threat. Spyware built by companies like NSO Group — it has the infamous Pegasus spyware in its arsenal —, Intellexa, and a few more has been deployed globally, often targeting individuals with little or no warning. These tools are capable of carrying out “zero-click” attacks, where a device can be infected without the user tapping a link or opening a file.

Independent research appears to back Apple’s claims. Investigators at Amnesty International and Citizen Lab say they have not found any instance where spyware successfully breached a device with Lockdown Mode enabled. In some cases, researchers observed attacks being actively blocked—including attempts using Pegasus and Predator spyware.

There’s even evidence attackers avoid such devices altogether. Researchers at Google have noted that certain spyware tools will abandon attempts if Lockdown Mode is detected—likely to reduce the risk of exposure.

Apple has also stepped up its efforts to notify users of potential attacks, sending alerts to individuals across more than 150 countries, including India, in recent years. While the company hasn’t disclosed exact figures, the scale suggests that the threat continues to exist.

Do keep in mind that security experts view Lockdown Mode as one of the most aggressive consumer-facing protections ever deployed. It is not meant for everyday users, and the trade-offs are significant. But for those at risk, the evidence so far suggests that the approach—prioritising security above all else—is holding firm.

Remember, Lockdown Mode needs to be turned on separately for your iPhone, iPad and Mac. When you turn on Lockdown Mode for your iPhone, it’s automatically turned on for your paired Apple Watch.

When you turn on Lockdown Mode for one of your devices, you get prompts to turn it on for your other supported Apple devices. When Lockdown Mode is turned on, you may receive notifications when an app or feature is limited. A banner in Safari indicates that Lockdown Mode is on.