iPhone Jailbreak Gets Past Lockdown Mode and Survives an Update

Just over a week after jailbreaking an iPhone Duo on its launch day, hacker collective Calif has returned with an additional jailbreak demonstration. This time, the team has successfully jailbroken an iPhone within Lockdown Mode, and the jailbreak appears to persist even after an iOS update. Calif shared a video showcasing a jailbroken iPhone 18 Pro with Lockdown Mode enabled.

After installing iOS 27.2, the jailbreak remained intact post-update. It remains unclear if the jailbreak could be installed on a device already operating iOS 27.2. Apple defines Lockdown Mode as "ultra-protection" for individuals who may be targeted by sophisticated mercenary spyware. Lockdown Mode disables numerous features, restricting message attachment types, limiting web technologies, halting FaceTime calls from unfamiliar callers, disabling invites for Apple services, and removing location data from photos.

Although Lockdown Mode provides protection, its effectiveness may be diminished in certain situations. The video demonstrates how a malicious PDF sent via AirDrop to the target iPhone, accepted by the user, initiated the jailbreak. Calif has not disclosed further details regarding the jailbreak process. Earlier this year, Apple informed TechCrunch that it was unaware of any successful mercenary spyware attacks against an iPhone operating in Lockdown Mode.

Calif had previously stated that it was disclosing vulnerabilities to Apple and did not intend to release a jailbreak tool for end-users. This story, "iPhone Jailbreak Gets Past Lockdown Mode and Survives an Update," originally appeared on MacRumors.com.