Security researchers demonstrate bypass of Apple's Lockdown Mode
The cybersecurity firm Calif has demonstrated a successful jailbreak of an iPhone 18 Pro running Lockdown Mode, with the exploit persisting after an iOS 27.2 update.
Cybersecurity researchers at Calif released footage demonstrating the compromise of an iPhone 18 Pro with 'Lockdown Mode' active. The exploit involved sending a malicious PDF via AirDrop, which allowed the team to jailbreak the device. Crucially, the researchers reported that the jailbroken state persisted even after the device was updated to iOS 27.2.
Lockdown Mode is an extreme security feature Apple introduced to protect high-risk individuals by restricting common device functionalities, such as blocking message attachments, limiting web technologies, and preventing incoming FaceTime calls from unknown sources. As of March 2026, Apple had maintained that there was no evidence of spyware successfully bypassing the security features of this mode.
Calif has not yet disclosed technical details regarding the specific vulnerabilities or the exploitation process used. The firm stated it is in the process of disclosing the findings to Apple and emphasized that it does not intend to release the jailbreak tools to the general public. This development indicates ongoing security challenges for mobile operating systems despite heightened defensive measures.