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How to Use Lockdown Mode on Mac

Activate Lockdown Mode through Privacy & Security settings to stop cyberattacks

By Jeremy Laukkonen Jeremy Laukkonen Writer Shoreline Community College Jeremy Laukkonen is automotive and tech writer for numerous major trade publications. When not researching and testing computers, game consoles or smartphones, he stays up-to-date on the myriad complex systems that power battery electric vehicles . lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on September 15, 2022 Reviewed by Ryan Perian Reviewed by Ryan Perian Western Governors University Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

In This Article

Expand Jump to a Section Enable Lockdown Mode on Mac What is Lockdown Mode? Who Needs Lockdown Mode? Frequently Asked Questions

What to Know

Open the Apple menu, and navigate to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Turn On > Turn On & Restart. Lockdown Mode protects against certain cyberattacks, but it also prevents some features from working. Messages, web browsing, Apple services, and various apps have limited functionality in Lockdown Mode.
This article explains how to use Lockdown Mode on a Mac.

How To Enable Lockdown Mode on Mac

Lockdown Mode is disabled under normal circumstances, and you need to turn it on manually if you believe that you’re in need of its protection. This feature locks down a lot of functions on your Mac, so Messages, FaceTime, web browsing, and other apps won’t work exactly as you expect them to when it’s enabled. The tradeoff is that when Lockdown Mode is enabled, your Mac is less vulnerable to cyber attacks. Here’s how to enable Lockdown Mode on a Mac:
Open the Apple menu and click System Settings. Click Privacy & Security. Scroll down to the Lockdown Mode section and click Turn On. Confirm with Touch ID or click Use Password and enter your password. Click Turn On & Restart. Your Mac will reboot in Lockdown Mode.

What is Lockdown Mode on Mac

Lockdown Mode is a security feature that can help protect your computer from sophisticated cyber attacks. If you suspect that you’re the victim of a targeted attack or series of attacks, you can enable this feature to help protect your system and data. When you turn on Lockdown Mode, you can expect to experience the following restrictions: Messages: Some features are disabled, including link previews. Most types of message attachments are also automatically blocked, with the exception of basic images.Web browsing: Some websites won’t function correctly or load at all, as this mode blocks some critical web technologies.Apple services: Incoming FaceTime calls and other invitations and requests are automatically blocked if you haven’t previously sent a call or request to that person.Configuration profiles: New profiles can’t be installed, so you can’t enter the Mac beta program or install a profile for your school or work while Lockdown Mode is on.Additional restrictions: Apple will add additional restrictions and adjust the way Lockdown Mode works over time to address new threats and provide additional protection.

Who Needs to Use Lockdown Mode

Most users won’t ever need Lockdown Mode, because it’s designed to protect against the sort of sophisticated, targeted attacks that few users are subjected to. If you work in a sensitive industry, government position, you’re a journalist, or are otherwise likely to have your devices targeted by hostile actors, then Lockdown Mode can preemptively harden your device against attacks. If you suspect that you’ve been targeted, you can also activate this mode at any time.
FAQ Can you turn off Lockdown mode on Mac? Yes. Go back to System Settings > Privacy & Security and select Turn Off under the Lockdown mode section. How do I lock my Mac keyboard? To lock your Mac keyboard temporarily, close the lid or use the keyboard shortcut Control+Shift+Power. Use the same shortcut to unlock your Mac keyboard. To put your Mac to sleep, press Command+Option+Power.
How do I use Lockdown mode on iPhone? To use Lockdown mode on iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Lockdown Mode > Turn On Lockdown Mode. Then, select Turn On Lockdown Mode again to confirm and tap Turn On & Restart. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Use Lockdown Mode on iPhone How to Transfer Files Between an iPhone and a Mac How to Use Lockdown Mode on iPad How to Turn On/Off Smart App Control in Windows 11 What Does Lockdown Mode Mean on Apple Devices? How to Turn on Bluetooth on a Mac How to Use Lockdown Mode on Any Android Phone How to Turn on Location Services on a Mac How to Turn Off a Pop-Up Blocker on a Mac How to Set Up Dual Monitors on a Mac How to Restart a Mac in Recovery Mode How to Turn on AirDrop on a Mac How to Fix a Missing AirPlay Icon on iPhone and Mac How to Install Mac OS on PC How to Use the F Keys on a Mac How to Use Firefox for Mac Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies