It couldn’t be safer: this is how you enable Isolation mode on your iPhone

With the arrival of iOS 16, the iPhone is equipped with a Lockdown Mode (Isolation Mode). That doesn’t just sound like a drastic measure, it is. OMT editor Sabine explains in this article what the feature entails and how to enable it.

The Lockdown Mode is a special locking mode on your iPhone. The feature is specifically designed for a very small group of iPhone users who may become targets of extremely sophisticated digital threats.

What is Lockdown Mode?

If you enable Lockdown Mode on your iPhone, your device will no longer work as you are used to. Certain apps, sites, and features are restricted to make it more difficult for cybercriminals to infiltrate.

Apps that you can no longer use to the max include Messages, Safari and FaceTime. Message attachments are blocked (except for photos, videos, and audio), some sites stop working properly, and FaceTime calls from strangers are blocked. Shared photo albums are also removed from the Photos app.

How do you set the extreme measure?

Enabling Lockdown Mode works as follows: open your iPhone’s settings and go to Privacy and security. At the very bottom you will find the Isolation mode. Press this and then tap Turn on isolation mode. Read the warning that Apple sends carefully, and then press again Turn on isolation mode.

Do you also want to set these drastic measures on your iPad or MacBook? You can, although you have to set it manually on those devices. This works the same on your iPad as it does on your iPhone. On your Mac, go to System settings and then to Privacy and security. Scroll down and enable Isolation Mode. Enter your password or use Touch ID. After that, your Mac will restart.

It is also possible to exclude certain apps or sites from Lockdown Mode. This allows you to use them as you are used to. To exclude apps, go back to the Isolation mode settings (if safety mode is active). Then press at the bottom Configure web surfing. Turn off the sliders next to the apps you want to exclude.