How To Lock Mode Works on iPhone iOS 16

Apple takes privacy with iOS 16 particularly seriously and gives you a new security feature. 

The blocking or lockdown mode is intended to protect your data even better, but this protection has its price.

What are the benefits of the new blocking mode? For whom is it suitable?

While Samsung has been offering a safe mode for numerous devices with Knox for years, Apple is introducing a similar mode with iOS 16, but it does one differently than its Android counterpart.

According to Apple, this is less of a separate secured profile but is intended to protect many more users from cyber attacks by restricting your activities.

As can be seen from the description, the blocking mode is not for average iPhone users but is instead aimed at a small group of people who are particularly vulnerable to possible attacks. 

This is also intended to prevent government spyware attacks by Pegasus or other applications as far as possible.

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How does iOS 16's blocking mode protect you?

Apple wants to provide more privacy for a small group of people, so it's introducing a blocking mode. This severely limits the functionality of the iPhone to prevent possible attacks. 

When the device (iPhone) is in blocking mode, apps, websites, and security features are severely limited. Certain functions are no longer available. 

The following security measures are available to introduce the new feature:

• Messages: Most types of message attachments except images are blocked. Some features, such as link previews, are disabled.
• Web browsing: Certain complex web technologies, such as just-in-time (JIT) JavaScript compilation, are disabled unless users exclude a trusted website from blocking mode.
• Apple Services: Incoming invitations and service requests, including FaceTime calls, are blocked if users have not previously called the initiator or sent a request.
• FaceTime: Incoming FaceTime calls from people you haven't called before will be blocked.
• Shared albums: Shared albums are removed from the Photos app and new shared album invitations are blocked.
• Device connections: Cable connections to other devices or accessories are blocked as long as the device (iPhone) is locked.
• Profiles: Configuration profiles cannot be installed and the device cannot log on to Mobile Device Management (MDM) when lockdown mode is enabled.

How to Enable Blocking Mode in iOS 16

Unlike other features of the new operating system, blocking mode is not enabled by default, but must be turned on manually. 

To do this, open the Settings app and select the "Privacy & Security" entry. Now scroll to the bottom end and tap on "Blocking mode". 

After an initial explanation, tap "Enable blocking mode". 

After that, you will be informed of numerous restrictions that arise from the use of the mode. If you agree, tap Enable Blocking Mode again. 

You will receive another warning and finally select "Activate and restart". Your device will now restart and various features will be disabled. 

You can deactivate the mode at any time in the same way.

Will you use the new blocking mode? Should Apple allow you which features to block and which not? Let us know in the comments.

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