How to Use Lockdown Mode on iPad

Go to Privacy settings to protect your iPad from serious hacking threats

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Updated on September 20, 2022

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What To Know

First, go to Settings > Privacy & Settings > Lockdown Mode > Turn on Lockdown Mode.
Then, select Turn on Lockdown Mode > Turn On & Restart.
To disable: Settings > Privacy & Settings > Lockdown Mode > Turn Off Lockdown Mode.

Lockdown Mode provides a very high level of security and protection against hacking for the iPad. This article explain how to enable Lockdown Mode on iPad, how to disable it, what Lockdown Mode is, and who needs to use it.

How to Enable Lockdown Mode on iPad

Lockdown Mode is a feature of iPadOS 16, so your iPad needs to be running that version of the OS or higher to take advantage of it. It's designed to thwart even the most sophisticated attacks and techniques used by hackers and state-sponsors actors. To enable it, follow these steps:

Tap Settings.
Tap Privacy & Settings.
Select Lockdown Mode.
Choose Turn on Lockdown Mode.
In the pop-up window, tap Turn On Lockdown Mode.
Choose Turn On & Restart.
After your iPad restarts, it will be in Lockdown Mode.

To turn off Lockdown Mode, follow steps 1-3 above and then tap Turn off Lockdown Mode.

What Is Lockdown Mode on iPad?

Now that you know how to use it, it's important to understand what Lockdown Mode is. It's a set of features and configurations that offer a much higher level of security than the iPad normally does, but it's also a tradeoff. In return for better security, you lose a lot of functionality.

The security measures that are enabled by Lockdown Mode include:

All FaceTime calls are blocked unless they come from people you've called before.
Most attachments (except images and links) are blocked in Messages.
In Safari, some technologies that improve performance are turned off.
Shared albums in Photos are removed; invitations to new shared albums are blocked.
Connections via cable to computers and other devices are blocked when the iPad is locked.
Invitations to join Apple services are blocked unless they come from people you've invited in the past.
Configuration profiles—used to install beta versions of iPadOS—are blocked.

While anyone can use Lockdown Mode, it's designed specifically for people who are at a high risk for the most sophisticated and powerful kinds of attacks: politicians, journalists, activists, etc. Apple will directly contact anyone who it believes is at a high risk and who should begin using Lockdown Mode to protect themselves.

For iPhone users, Lockdown Mode is available on iOS 16 and up. For Mac users, Lockdown Mode is available starting with macOS Ventura (13.0).

FAQ

How do I childproof my iPad?

To enable parental controls on iPad, go to Settings > Screen Time, create a 4-digit passcode, then tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. To restrict certain apps, tap Allowed Apps and move the sliders next to any app you don't want your child to access to the Off position.
How do I delay auto-lock on my iPad?

To delay auto-lock on your iPad, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock. To set a passcode-entry timer, go to Settings > Passcode > Require Passcode.
How do I fix a disabled iPad?

If your iPad is disabled, the only way to fix it is to reset the iPad to the factory settings or try Recovery Mode. A disabled iPad is caused by too many attempts to log in with the wrong username and password.

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