# Lockdown Privacy: AdBlock VPN — user reviews > 582 indexed App Store user reviews of Lockdown Privacy by CELESTIAN GOLDEN APPS, rated 4.30/5 from 9,786 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lockdown-privacy-adblock-vpn/id1469783711/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lockdown-privacy-adblock-vpn/id1469783711.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 7,152 · 4★ 767 · 3★ 480 · 2★ 312 · 1★ 1,075 ## What do users think of Lockdown Privacy? Overall sentiment: neutral **Pros** - 🚀 Blocks many trackers - 🔒 Enhances privacy - 👍 Simple to use - 🔒 Transparent about how it works - 🚀 Effective ad blocking **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent disconnections/stability issues - 🔋 High battery drain - 💰 Paywall for advanced features - 🔌 Interferes with other apps/services - 🐛 Inconsistent blocking across devices **Commonly reported bugs** - Firewall randomly turns off - VPN forces itself to be enabled - Blocks essential system apps **Most requested features** - Ability to view/manage blocked connections - Custom domain/app whitelisting - Import/export of block lists - Separate firewall and VPN functionality ## Newest reviews (16 of 582) ### 4/5 — Latest update breaks iOS privacy feature *2026-08-25, version 2.4.5* Updated: 8/25. Dev reached out with instructions that so far addresses the problem. Adjusting to 4 star as the VPN for some regions doesn’t consistently kick in as expected. Original: Lockdown 2.4.4 breaks iCloud Private Relay on Wi-Fi. Private Relay worked normally with Lockdown prior to the 2.4.4 update. After updating to 2.4.4, iOS reports that Private Relay is unavailable on my Wi-Fi network. Disabling the Lockdown Firewall immediately restores Private Relay. Re-enabling the Firewall immediately causes the Private Relay warning to return. ### 4/5 — Doesn’t work anymore:/ *2026-08-19, version 2.4.5* I loved lockdown. It worked so well for blocking all of the annoying ads on my apps but sometime a few months back it started glitching and stopped working. It would constantly flicker between firewall off and firewall on, messing up my internet connection. I’ve deleted the app and reinstalled it, removed the vpn off my device but no matter what I do it won’t work anymore. Please fix my favorite app:/ ### 2/5 — Update broke private relay *2026-08-16, version 2.4.5* This last iOS update has resulted in the constant message that my WiFi isn’t compatible with iCloud private relay - and it’s ONLY when lockdown vpn is active. Can you please fix this so I can use the vpn again? I won’t turn off private relay. ### 1/5 — v2.3.2+ is broken on iOS 17.x *2026-08-14, version 2.4.5* The firewall no longer connects when using a device running iOS 17.x versions or lower. I’ve submitted into to the devs support email address, but no reply from them in the 2 weeks since I’ve submitted the email. When attempting to activate the firewall, all network communications are blocked by the app. I’ve had to fully delete the app from my devices so I can continue to access WiFi/cellular on my phone. Please roll back the app release to v2.3 or release a new version to fix these issues asap. Edit1 - despite the Dev’s response, the app is still not connecting on my 17.x devices. I’ve deleted and reinstalled the app and VPN profile multiple times, with no success. Edit2 - still broken with the v2.4.0 update. The same behavior described above. Edit3 - v2.4.1 also still broken. Edit4 - surprise surprise, v2.4.2 is also still broken on iOS 17.x versions. Edit5 - in response to the dev: I have already tried deleting the app, removing the VPN profile, and doing a clean reinstall multiple times. The clean reinstall does not fix the problem. I don’t know how to say it any more clearly - the app continues to be broken, despite these basic “troubleshooting” suggestions that should ‘tOtAlLy’ fix the issue. “Our support systems are undergoing updates.” Really? For the past 7 months that users have been reporting this issue?? Have you been operating without any support staff whatsoever for more than half a year?? Edit6 - for shiggles, I did another clean reinstall of the app, just in case. And now I can confirm 100% that no, the problem is not fixed with a reinstall. Edit 7 - v2.4.4 is still broken for iOS 17.x versions. I did a clean reinstall of the app when I saw the new update. Same behavior described above, the firewall no longer connects, leaving WiFi in a permanent “connecting” loop. Crazy that this is still ongoing. Still broken. Edit 8 - v2.4.5 still does not fix the issue described above. Same behavior described above. At this point, the issue isn’t getting fixed, or your dev team is disastrously incompetent. Either way, Lockdown is no longer an app that I can trust. They’ve also updated their privacy policy to show that they’re using a lot of the trackers that the app was created to block in the first place. That, mixed with the non-functional dev team and no recent privacy audits, make Lockdown more of a privacy liability than a privacy tool. I highly do not suggest this app, even if you’re on a version of iOS that seems to be supported by Lockdown. ### 1/5 — One Star *2026-08-14, version 2.4.5* The team sold out and monetized this app, to the extent that it doesn’t work anymore. Hilariously the Apple star rating system here is broken: most reviews are 1 star yet it somehow still shows as a 4.2 star rating. Enjoy facts: the app is rubbish. Don’t use. ### 1/5 — F word *2026-08-10, version 2.4.4* Buns ### 1/5 — Very bad *2026-08-02, version 2.4.4* ..nevermind, I keeo going into tjis glitch where I allow the configuration but then my internet gets turned off over and over again. I have tried to delete the app, then the configurations, then redownload. Still didnt work. Then, I force reset my phone and yet it still didn’t work ### 1/5 — Just tell us the truth. *2026-07-31, version 2.4.4* I actually gave up on lockdown in 2022. This is 2026. In their FAQ section, they have had it posted for years that “we are bringing lockdown to android very soon”. I don’t think they even realize their website says that. It might be soon now, but it wasn’t when I left. ### 1/5 — Bad App *2026-07-30, version 2.4.4* I tried the app but the firewall kept going on and off I recommend don’t download this app ### 1/5 — Paid not worth it *2026-07-29, version 2.4.4* I was using the free version and it seemed to block ads in vinted app. I upgraded to paid version and vinted ads are not being removed despite me flipping all block lists to on. Absolutely useless. Needless to say I cancelled the subscription. ### 1/5 — Genuinely just didn’t work. *2026-07-29, version 2.4.4* Wanted this app for ad blocking but the firewall refused to turn on and kept giving me the same pop-up over and over again. I’m not the only one having this issue apparently and the devs are no help. I’ve tried what they said to do and it did not help at all. Don’t install it’s just broken and potentially spyware atp. ### 2/5 — Looks like I’m not the only one *2026-07-24, version 2.4.4* I’ve used this app for years with great success and the past use is the only reason I’m giving 2 stars instead of 1. Y’all really jacked something up BAD for this many people, myself now included, to report the same issue of the app blocking network connection. What’s worse is that I’ve read a large number of reviews stating they’ve done the whole delete and reinstall bit with no success, and yet the responses from y’all are literally just telling people to do exactly the same thing. I’m convinced it’s just AI responses because there’s no way you could be like “Sorry that you’re having trouble! Do the same thing that didn’t work the first several times to fix it :)” The delete and reinstall also didn’t work for me, multiple times, so for the giggles I’m posting this just to see if I get the same generic answer. On top of the predatory 3 day trial into a subscription; really, only 3 days and not a month? Or even a week? 1 day is now enough to see y’all decided to tank your own product for no reason so enjoy the negative review bombs I guess. ### 1/5 — v2.3.2+ is broken on iOS 17.x *2026-07-18* The firewall no longer connects when using a device running iOS 17.x versions or lower. I’ve submitted into to the devs support email address, but no reply from them in the 2 weeks since I’ve submitted the email. When attempting to activate the firewall, all network communications are blocked by the app. I’ve had to fully delete the app from my devices so I can continue to access WiFi/cellular on my phone. Please roll back the app release to v2.3 or release a new version to fix these issues asap. Edit1 - despite the Dev’s response, the app is still not connecting on my 17.x devices. I’ve deleted and reinstalled the app and VPN profile multiple times, with no success. Edit2 - still broken with the v2.4.0 update. The same behavior described above. Edit3 - v2.4.1 also still broken. Edit4 - surprise surprise, v2.4.2 is also still broken on iOS 17.x versions. Edit5 - in response to the dev: I have already tried deleting the app, removing the VPN profile, and doing a clean reinstall multiple times. The clean reinstall does not fix the problem. I don’t know how to say it any more clearly - the app continues to be broken, despite these basic “troubleshooting” suggestions that should ‘tOtAlLy’ fix the issue. “Our support systems are undergoing updates.” Really? For the past 7 months that users have been reporting this issue?? Have you been operating without any support staff whatsoever for more than half a year?? Edit6 - for shiggles, I did another clean reinstall of the app, just in case. And now I can confirm 100% that no, the problem is not fixed with a reinstall. Edit 7 - v2.4.4 is still broken for iOS 17.x versions. I did a clean reinstall of the app when I saw the new update. Same behavior described above, the firewall no longer connects, leaving WiFi in a permanent “connecting” loop. Crazy that this is still ongoing. Still broken. **Developer response:** We understand the firewall is blocking your network on iOS 17.x, despite your diligent efforts with updates. This is a known connection loop bug. Please delete the app, remove the VPN profile from iPhone settings, and perform a clean reinstall to reset the connection. Our support systems are undergoing updates. ### 1/5 — Terrible battery usage *2026-07-13, version 2.4.2* Do not get this app! It uses tons of battery in the background without touching the app in months. ### 1/5 — With the last update, no connectivity *2026-07-13* I was slammed from version 1, which worked perfectly, to version 2, which barely stops anything if you don’t pay. Just now I foolishly accepted a new version, which prevents my iPhone from communicating at all due to a faulty VPN profile. ### 1/5 — Newest Version is Bricked *2026-07-11, version 2.4.2* I had some trackers that were getting through the firewall, so I figured I’d update the app and see if that helped. Big mistake. Should have read the recent reviews first. Now when I try to enable the firewall, it just gets stuck in and endless on/off stuttering loop that cuts my device off from the internet. I have to remove the app from my VPN configurations to restore internet access. Nonsense like this is exactly why I always disable automatic updates for everything. For every 1 update that actually improves something, there are 20 that just make things worse, even to the point of rendering a program completely unusable. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — iCloud+ Private Relay still not working after 2.4.6 app update *2026-08-30, version 2.4.6* The 2.4.6 app update did not fix the problem with Lockdown interfering with iCloud+ Private Relay. If you are receiving pop-up notices that Private Relay doesn’t work with your cellular plan or your wireless network (when it did before), the reason is the Lockdown firewall. The solution is to turn the Lockdown firewall off. Once you turn the Lockdown firewall off, Private Relay will function normally again. Advice from the developer to delete and reinstall the app, and remove any remaining VPN network profile does not work. This is on an iPhone 17 Pro Max with iOS 26.6.1. ### 1/5 — v2.3.2+ is broken on iOS 17.x *2026-08-30, version 2.4.6* The firewall no longer connects when using a device running iOS 17.x versions or lower. I’ve submitted into to the devs support email address, but no reply from them in the 2 weeks since I’ve submitted the email. When attempting to activate the firewall, all network communications are blocked by the app. I’ve had to fully delete the app from my devices so I can continue to access WiFi/cellular on my phone. Please roll back the app release to v2.3 or release a new version to fix these issues asap. Edit1 - despite the Dev’s response, the app is still not connecting on my 17.x devices. I’ve deleted and reinstalled the app and VPN profile multiple times, with no success. Edit2 - still broken with the v2.4.0 update. The same behavior described above. Edit3 - v2.4.1 also still broken. Edit4 - surprise surprise, v2.4.2 is also still broken on iOS 17.x versions. Edit5 - in response to the dev: I have already tried deleting the app, removing the VPN profile, and doing a clean reinstall multiple times. The clean reinstall does not fix the problem. I don’t know how to say it any more clearly - the app continues to be broken, despite these basic “troubleshooting” suggestions that should ‘tOtAlLy’ fix the issue. “Our support systems are undergoing updates.” Really? For the past 7 months that users have been reporting this issue?? Have you been operating without any support staff whatsoever for more than half a year?? Edit6 - for shiggles, I did another clean reinstall of the app, just in case. And now I can confirm 100% that no, the problem is not fixed with a reinstall. Edit 7 - v2.4.4 is still broken for iOS 17.x versions. I did a clean reinstall of the app when I saw the new update. Same behavior described above, the firewall no longer connects, leaving WiFi in a permanent “connecting” loop. Crazy that this is still ongoing. Still broken. Edit 8 - v2.4.5 still does not fix the issue described above. Same behavior described above. At this point, the issue isn’t getting fixed, or your dev team is disastrously incompetent. Either way, Lockdown is no longer an app that I can trust. They’ve also updated their privacy policy to show that they’re using a lot of the trackers that the app was created to block in the first place. That, mixed with the non-functional dev team and no recent privacy audits, make Lockdown more of a privacy liability than a privacy tool. I highly do not suggest this app, even if you’re on a version of iOS that seems to be supported by Lockdown. Edit 9 - the streak continues. v2.4.6 still broken on iOS 17. ### 1/5 — It’s now a scam app and will not work with iCloud private relay. Why you ask? Because it was sold. *2026-08-30, version 2.4.6* Even after 8/2826 update it STILL will not work with iCloud private relay. BE WARNED! This used to be a legitimate app. It was sold to a concern in Spain. Check it out on the Apple App Store ownership page. Then do a whois search. It’s no longer American owned. Furthermore, they no longer have any language on their app about your browsing history. Why? THEY COLLECT YOUR BROWSING HISTORY NOW. READ THE PRIVACY POLICY. IT IS NOT THE SAME. THE NEW YORK TIMES AND FAST COMPANY SHOULD WITHDRAW THEIR SUPPORT FOR THIS APP. The original developers sold out to a data collection company in Spain. Newery Global Media. THIS APP IS NOW DATA HARVESTING. ### 1/5 — iCloud Private Relay Is Now Broken *2026-08-29, version 2.4.6* The app started blocking mask.icloud.com which makes this app unusable on Apple devices. Using a custom rule to “not block” does not work either. The latest version 2.4.6 did not resolve the issue. ### 1/5 — App is broken *2026-08-29, version 2.4.6* 8/29 - issue still not resolved with update. Do not try this app until they have fixed this! Long time user. As others have noted, app breaks iCloud private relay. Reinstalling VPN configuration does not fix. Fix needs to be pushed ASAP! ### 1/5 — Latest Update Breaks Private Relay *2026-08-25, version 2.4.5* Update: per the Dev, I deleted and reinstalled the app. Problem still persists!!!! Fix this bug asap! Latest update causes Private Relay to not work on any network. Only solution is to toggle the firewall on/off. Extremely annoying. Please fix/undo whatever you did! I've been using this app for years and years and it's awesome with few issues. This makes it literally unusable! I will update/correct this review if the bug is fixed in an appropriate amount of time iOS 26.6 iphone 17. App version 2.4.5 ### 1/5 — Breaks iCloud Private Relay AGAIN. *2026-08-25, version 2.4.5* I had to turn off lockdown (v2.4.5) yesterday since it breaks iCloud Private Relay. Maybe an update will fix it, again… Until then lockdown remains off entirely. Loosing trust in this lil bit of software now. Update: No change after deleting the VPN profile and deleting the app and reinstalling it anew. V2.4.5 simply breaks iCloud Private Relay. ### 1/5 — Thieves *2026-08-22, version 2.4.5* They immediately pop up either their forced plan choices that are pre select to charge you their yearly price and they make it so unfriendly for the user to back out. I accidentally select their year plan and this app is worthless. Blocks have the videos I want to watch on Snapchat hence why I stopped using it months ago. No one answers from the dev tea If they even exist. Save your time and money and avoid these scammers. ### 1/5 — iCloud+ Private Relay not working *2026-08-15, version 2.4.5* The 2.4.5 app update on August 14 is interfering with the iCloud+ Private Relay function. With Private Relay “on”, I had to deactivate Lockdown just to write this review! If you are receiving pop-up notices that Private Relay doesn’t work with your cellular plan or your wireless network (when it did before), the reason is the Lockdown 2.4.5 update. The solution is to turn the Lockdown firewall off. Once you turn the Lockdown firewall off, Private Relay will function normally again. Hopefully this flaw with Lockdown will be fixed in the next app update. ### 1/5 — Latest update breaks iOS privacy feature *2026-08-14, version 2.4.5* Lockdown 2.4.4 breaks iCloud Private Relay on Wi-Fi. Private Relay worked normally with Lockdown prior to the 2.4.4 update. After updating to 2.4.4, iOS reports that Private Relay is unavailable on my Wi-Fi network. Disabling the Lockdown Firewall immediately restores Private Relay. Re-enabling the Firewall immediately causes the Private Relay warning to return. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Trusted and fast *2026-08-29, version 2.4.6* Absolutely worth every cent, it’s the only subscription I hope I can keep forever. I just won’t even attempt to own or use a smartphone if I don’t have the vpn running 24/7. This app provides exactly what I am looking for, straight forward, priced fairly, and it is absolutely effective. Love it all. Thank you. ### 5/5 — The greatest hits *2026-08-07, version 2.4.4* This firewall is living up it it’s membership, it’s constantly blocking most of the regulars on the daily. I hate being stalked online by some weirdos in some other counties. Good job and thank you. ### 5/5 — it works *2026-07-24, version 2.4.4* it works (slowed + reverb) ### 5/5 — You know what? Best app *2026-07-22, version 2.4.4* Literally just blocks everything ### 5/5 — Functional and free *2026-07-05, version 2.4.2* This works remarkably well even at the free plan. I’ve been considering upgrading to paid but haven’t yet, so I can’t speak on the value of that. ### 5/5 — Looks good but no audits and minimal customization *2026-05-31, version 2.4.0* The firewall is good for basic ad-blocking via DNS blocks, but it’s relatively simple. VPN is effective but moderately slow. ### 5/5 — para proteger mi privacidad *2026-04-28, version 2.4.0* seguro al navegar”. Cl ### 5/5 — SECURITY *2026-04-18, version 2.4.0* A great sense of Security Great to have it working for me. ### 5/5 — Looks good but no audits *2026-04-09, version 2.4.0* The firewall is good for basic ad-blocking via DNS blocks, but it’s relatively simple. VPN is effective but moderately slow. ### 5/5 — Fonctionne plus *2026-01-15* Depuis hier soir le blocage de pub ne fonctionne plus et quand j’active le blocage ça me coupe toute connexion même ma 4G ne marche plus, pourquoi ? **Developer response:** Nous sommes désolés pour ce blocage ! 🛠️ La dernière mise à jour a causé un conflit VPN. Veuillez désinstaller et réinstaller l'app pour réinitialiser le profil VPN. Cela restaure la connexion et le blocage pub. Nous corrigeons cela en urgence ! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-05.*