Jakarta - Apple's Lockdown Mode feature has once again proven its toughness. The extreme security mode on the iPhone is said to be able to protect user data even from the efforts of law enforcement agencies in the United States, including the FBI.
The case came to light after the raid on the Washington Post journalist Hannah Natanson's home in January 2026. The FBI seized a number of electronic devices, including her iPhone and MacBook Pro, in an investigation into alleged leaks of classified information to the media.
Even though the court temporarily prohibited the FBI from accessing the device, the bureau still tried to extract data. However, the result was that Natanson's iPhone could not be opened.
In a court document quoted by the 404media media, the FBI admitted its failure. "Because the iPhone is in Lockdown Mode, the CART team cannot extract the device," the FBI wrote. They also said that Natanson's personal MacBook Pro could not be copied.
This statement is a tangible proof of the effectiveness of Lockdown Mode, a feature introduced by Apple in 2022 for users who face serious threats to their digital security.
The raid on Natanson himself was controversial. Washington Post executive editor Matt Murray called the FBI's actions "deeply troubling." "This extraordinary act of aggression raises serious questions about the constitutional protection of our work," he told staff.
What is Lockdown Mode?
Lockdown Mode is an optional feature that must be manually activated by the user. Apple calls it an extreme protection aimed at individuals with high risk, such as investigative journalists, activists, or public figures.
When activated, Lockdown Mode will limit many iPhone functions, including blocking most message attachments, disabling certain JavaScript technologies, stopping data connections over cables, and preventing the installation of new configuration profiles.
Apple has even offered a reward of up to 2 million US dollars for security researchers who are able to break Lockdown Mode, while stressing that this feature will continue to be developed with additional protection.
In the Natanson case, the FBI allegedly had a warrant that allowed the use of biometrics such as Face ID. However, the report said Natanson did not use biometric authentication on his iPhone, so access remained closed. Unlike the MacBook Pro, which reportedly can be opened after agents force the use of Touch ID.
Apple's Additional Protection
Lockdown Mode is not Apple's only security shield. Since iOS 18.1 in 2024, iPhones have an automatic reboot feature when the device is not opened for a certain period of time. This feature makes the iPhone return to the condition before the first unlock, which is much more difficult to access by forensic tools.
In addition, Apple also presents Advanced Data Protection, which encrypts iCloud backup data, Wallet data, and various other sensitive information. This feature is now available for almost all iPhone users, except in the UK.
With this encryption system, even Apple itself admits it can only hand over unencrypted iCloud data, even with a warrant or official subpoena. "In the end, only a small amount of data can actually be accessed," according to Apple's legal guidelines, which reach more than 10,000 words.
FBI vs iPhone Encryption
The history of the tug-of-war between the FBI and Apple on encryption has been going on for a long time. In 2020, the FBI claimed to be able to crack the iPhone 11 Pro Max using a third-party forensic tool called GrayKey. However, since iOS 18.1, the tool is reportedly no longer effective.
Until now, there is no certainty whether GrayKey has been able to penetrate Apple's system. What is clear, in the Natanson case, the FBI failed to access the iPhone protected by Lockdown Mode.
However, the FBI still insists on holding the device. In a court document, the bureau stated, "The claim that this seizure violates the First Amendment and the device must be returned is false."
This case once again highlights the clash between privacy, press freedom, and law enforcement interests. But one thing is clear: for users who really need maximum protection, iPhone Lockdown Mode proves to be not just a feature, but a very difficult fortress to break through.
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