Apple Platform Security
- Welcome
- Intro to Apple platform security
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- System security overview
- Signed system volume security
- Secure software updates
- Operating system integrity
- Activating data connections securely
- Verifying accessories
- BlastDoor for Messages and IDS
- Lockdown Mode security
- System security for watchOS
- Random number generation
- Apple Security Research Device
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- Services security overview
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- Apple Pay security overview
- Apple Pay component security
- How Apple Pay keeps users’ purchases protected
- Payment authorization with Apple Pay
- Paying with cards using Apple Pay
- Contactless passes in Apple Pay
- Rendering cards unusable with Apple Pay
- Apple Card security
- Apple Cash security
- Tap to Pay on iPhone
- Secure Apple Messages for Business
- FaceTime security
- Glossary
- Document revision history
- Copyright
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Lockdown Mode security for Apple devices
Lockdown Mode is an optional, extreme protection that’s designed for the very few individuals who, because of who they are or what they do, might be personally targeted by some of the most sophisticated digital threats such as targeted mercenary spyware. Most people are never targeted by attacks of this nature.
When Lockdown Mode is turned on, a device doesn’t function the way it typically does. To reduce the attack surface that potentially could be exploited, certain apps, websites, and features are strictly limited for security, and some experiences might not be available at all.
Lockdown Mode is available in iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, and watchOS 10, or later. Additional protections are available in iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS 14, and updates to watchOS 10.1, or later. To take advantage of additional features of Lockdown Mode, devices should be updated to the latest operating system. For more information, see the Apple Support article About Lockdown Mode.
Lockdown Mode makes tradeoffs for increased security at the expense of functionality, performance, or both. These tradeoffs impact:
Background services
Connectivity
Device management
FaceTime
GameCenter
Mail
Messages
Photos
Safari
System settings
WebKit