Reporter kept the FBI out of her seized iPhone thanks to this feature
Reporter kept the FBI out of her seized iPhone thanks to this feature
https://www.phonearena.com/news/little-used-iphone-feature-protects-users_id177959
Publish Date: 2026-02-05 23:52:00
Source Domain: www.phonearena.com
Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson’s home was raided by the FBI last month and her laptop and phone were seized. The raid and the seizure of her devices were related to a government contractor who was alleged to have kept classified information. As it turns out, the government was unable to get any information out of Natanson’s iPhone thanks to an iPhone feature that is not exactly well known.
The iOS Lockdown Mode was created to protect iPhone users from malicious attacks
Around since iOS 16 in 2022, the iPhone’s Lockdown Mode prevented the FBI from examining Natanson’s handset. The FBI’s Computer Analysis Response Team (CART) was unable to break into the phone according to the official court records, which stated, “The iPhone was found powered on and charging, and its display noted that the phone was in ‘Lockdown’ mode,” the court record says. “Because the iPhone was in Lockdown mode, CART could not extract that device.”
Apple’s Lockdown Mode protects iPhones from malicious attacks from hackers. | Image credit-PhoneArena
The original intention of the Lockdown was to prevent an iPhone from getting infected by malware after an attack. But according to David Huerta, senior digital security trainer at Freedom of the Press Foundation, Apple made the feature so aggressive that it also prevented the FBI, with all of its tools, from breaking into Natanson’s phone.
To turn on Lockdown Mode, go to Settings Privacy & Security. Scroll down and press on “Lockdown Mode.” Follow the instructions on the screen. In Lockdown Mode:
- Apps, websites and features are limited for security reason.
- Message attachments are blocked.
- Incoming FaceTime calls from people you never called before are blocked. SharePlay and Live Photos are disabled.
- Some web browsing features are blocked.
- Location is excluded when sharing…
