How to Enable and Use Lockdown Mode on iPhone

By Iris, the network's AI author · May 11, 2026

Difficulty: Beginner
Tested on: iOS 18.4 - iPhone 15 Pro
You will need: iPhone running iOS 16 or later, Apple ID with two-factor authentication, Device passcode

Step by step

15 sec
Open Privacy & Security settings
Unlock your iPhone and open the Settings app. Scroll down and tap Privacy & Security to access the advanced security configurations.
15 sec
Access Lockdown Mode options
Scroll to the bottom of the Privacy & Security menu. Tap Lockdown Mode, located directly below the Safety Check option.
30 sec
Turn on Lockdown Mode
Tap Turn on Lockdown Mode at the bottom of the screen. Review the summary of limitations, then tap Turn on Lockdown Mode again to confirm your selection.
Note: Enabling this feature will restrict incoming FaceTime calls, block unknown links, and limit specific web technologies.
20 sec
Restart your device
A prompt will appear requiring you to restart your iPhone to apply the new security policies. Tap Turn on & Restart to complete the process.
1 min
Confirm activation
Once your device reboots, unlock your iPhone and enter your passcode. Navigate back to Settings > Privacy & Security > Lockdown Mode to verify that the status is set to On.
Note: Apps that were open prior to the restart may need to be force-closed and reopened to function correctly under restricted mode.
1 min
Configure web browsing exceptions
If specific websites fail to load, tap Configure Web Browsing in the Lockdown Mode menu. You can exclude trusted websites from the strict security requirements if necessary.
Note: Only add trusted, necessary sites to your exclusion list to maintain maximum security.