Apple Will Pay You Over ₹17 Crore If You Can Find This Bug: A Deep Dive into Apple’s Bug Bounty Program

Apple is raising the bar in cybersecurity by offering massive rewards to security researchers who identify critical vulnerabilities in its products. This blog will explore Apple’s bug bounty program in detail, the kinds of bugs Apple is targeting, how researchers can benefit, and why this matters for everyone.

What is a Bug Bounty Program and Why Does Apple Have One?

A bug bounty program is a security initiative where companies offer financial rewards to independent researchers who find and report vulnerabilities in their software or hardware. These programs serve two main purposes:

• Preventing Security Breaches: By discovering bugs before hackers do, companies can patch vulnerabilities early.
• Encouraging Collaborative Security: Engaging a community of ethical hackers improves the overall safety of products.

Apple launched its public Security Bounty Program in 2022 and has since paid out over $35 million (₹300 crore+) to more than 800 researchers worldwide. This program reflects Apple’s proactive approach toward protecting its users.

The New High-Stakes Tier: $2 Million Reward for Exploit Chains

Apple recently announced an enhanced bug bounty tier offering up to $2 million (approx ₹17.7 crore) for discovering “exploit chains” that can lead to highly sophisticated attacks, including zero-click hacks.

What Are Exploit Chains?

An exploit chain is a sequence of security vulnerabilities that attackers combine to compromise a system. Individually, these bugs might be minor, but chained together, they enable powerful attacks.

What is a Zero-Click Hack?

A zero-click hack is an attack that requires no interaction from the user—no clicking on a link or opening a file. This makes these hacks extremely dangerous because the user remains unaware while the device is compromised.

Apple’s offer to pay up to $2 million for such bugs underlines the severity and difficulty of finding these vulnerabilities.

Focus on Lockdown Mode: A New Frontier for Bug Hunters

Apple introduced Lockdown Mode to provide heightened security for users at risk of targeted cyberattacks. This mode severely limits certain device functionalities to reduce attack surfaces.

Bounties for Lockdown Mode Bugs

• Apple offers up to $2 million for finding bugs that bypass Lockdown Mode protections.
• This is a huge incentive for researchers to focus on the toughest security challenges.

Rewards for Beta Software Bugs

Apple doesn’t just pay for vulnerabilities in released products. They also reward bugs found in beta software, including:

• Regressions: Bugs that reappear after being fixed.
• Other issues that might impact security.

For beta software bugs, Apple offers rewards up to $1.5 million, plus additional bonuses that can push the total payout over $5 million for a single vulnerability.

How to Participate in Apple’s Bug Bounty Program

Key Steps:

1. Register as a Security Researcher: Visit the Apple Security Research site to understand the program rules.
2. Identify Vulnerabilities: Focus on exploit chains, zero-click hacks, Lockdown Mode bypasses, and beta software bugs.
3. Submit Reports: Detailed and responsible disclosure is critical. Provide Apple with enough information to reproduce and fix the bug.
4. Earn Rewards: Once Apple verifies your finding, you receive your payout.

Apple’s updated program details, categories, and instructions will be fully available from November 2025 onwards.

Apple’s Impact So Far: Millions Paid and Security Improved

Since 2022:

• Apple has paid over $35 million to more than 800 security researchers.
• Multiple researchers have earned up to $500,000 individually.
• This shows Apple’s commitment to reward talent and build a safer ecosystem.

Why This Program Matters to Everyone

• For Security Researchers: It’s a chance to monetize your skills with industry-leading rewards.
• For Apple Users: It means safer devices and software, protecting privacy and data.
• For the Tech Industry: Sets a new standard for corporate responsibility in cybersecurity.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Bug Bounties and Cybersecurity

Apple’s massive payouts and expansive bounty program reflect a growing trend in tech: companies must collaborate openly with security experts to safeguard users. This program pushes the boundaries on what ethical hacking can achieve financially and technically.

If you’re a security researcher, this is one of the most lucrative and impactful bug bounty programs in the world. For everyone else, it means safer, more secure Apple products.