iPhone has secret ‘extreme’ mode that Apple says is so powerful ‘most people’ never need it – it takes seconds to find

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 Sun / Apple

Lockdown Mode can be found at the very bottom of Privacy & Security in your Settings app[/caption]

The feature is called Lockdown Mode and was added in 2022 as part of the iOS 16 update.

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”.

WHAT IS LOCKDOWN MODE?

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.

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:

• Messages
• Web browsing
• FaceTime
• Apple services
• Photos
• Device connections
• Wireless connectivity
• Configuration profiles

These features will also vanish:

• SharePlay
• Shared Albums
• FaceTime Live Photos
• FaceTime Continuity Handoff

For most people, keeping Lockdown Mode on would ruin the iPhone experience.

But if you’re a person that might be specifically by cyberattacks, it could save you from a devastating hack.

The Sun / Apple

Lockdown Mode is described by Apple as an “extreme protection”[/caption]

The Sun / Apple

Apple shares a long list of features that will stop working properly when you try to activate Lockdown Mode[/caption]

HOW TO TURN LOCKDOWN MODE ON

First, make sure that you’ve updated your iPhone.

Just go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available downloads.

Then go into Settings > Privacy & Security > Lockdown Mode.

You can then tap Turn On Lockdown Mode – and then you’ll be prompted to confirm it.

The Sun / Apple

You’ll need to restart your iPhone for Lockdown Mode to take effect[/caption]

Then select Tap Turn On & Restart, enter your device passcode, and wait for your iPhone to switch back on in Lockdown Mode.

You can turn Lockdown Mode off by going into the same Settings panel.