Hackers bypassed maximum security mode on iPhone 18 Pro and retained jailbreak after update. Video

Hackers Bypassed Max Security Mode on iPhone 18 Pro and Retained Jailbreak After Update. Video

The Calif hacker team demonstrated an exploit of an iPhone 18 Pro that had Lockdown Mode—the maximum security setting—activated. The attack utilized a malicious PDF file sent to the user via AirDrop. Following this, the jailbreak was successfully retained even after updating the smartphone to iOS 27.2.

"Lockdown Mode helps until it stops helping," the team captioned the published video demonstrating the hack.

The recording shows the process of transferring the document to the device and the subsequent jailbreak. Calif has not yet disclosed the technical details of the attack or the exact steps of the exploit.

Lockdown Mode is Apple's extreme protection feature designed for users who might be targeted by sophisticated spyware attacks. When enabled, the iPhone restricts a number of functions: it blocks most types of message attachments, cuts back on web technology capabilities, bans FaceTime calls from unknown contacts, and blocks invitations to Apple services. In addition, location information is removed from photos.

It remains unknown whether a similar attack can be carried out on a device running iOS 27.2 out of the box. In the demonstrated case, the jailbreak was first installed on a previous version of the system, after which the smartphone was updated without losing access to it.

In March, Apple told TechCrunch that it was unaware of any successful spyware attacks on iPhones with Lockdown Mode turned on.