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iCloud Plus 101: Everything you need to know

iCloud is a cloud storage and cloud computing service from Apple that allows users to backup and sync data between all their devices. iCloud Plus is an upgraded version that adds more features to existing subscriptions at no additional cost. Let’s get to iCloud Plus, the different iCloud plans and the iCloud Plus prices.

Jump to:

  • iCloud Plus basics: when, where and how much?
  • How to check if you have iCloud+
  • How to get iCloud Plus
  • iCloud+ features

iCloud Plus Basics: When, where and how much?

The release date of iCloud Plus was September 20, 2021 with the public launch of iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 and is available on your Apple devices. iCloud works with your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Watch; It is also PC compatible. It’s not a new service, but an upgrade to Apple’s iCloud storage and will be available for free to iCloud subscribers (meaning you already have to pay for the iCloud service).

What is icloud plus most iCloud Plus features will be available worldwide; Private Relay will not be available in China, Belarus, Colombia, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkmenistan, Uganda, and the Philippines. More information on iCloud pricing can be found here.

How to check if you have iCloud+

What is icloud+ anyone with a paid iCloud subscription will get the iCloud+ upgrade when they upgrade to iOS 15 or iPadOS 15. Here’s how to check if you have an iCloud subscription:

  1. Open the App Store on your phone.
  2. Tap your photo, emoji, or initials in the top right corner
  3. Tap Subscription
  4. If you see iCloud under Active, you have a paid iCloud subscription
  5. If you have Apple One, your iCloud subscription is included in it
  6. To see which plan you have, tap iCloud or Apple One to view the plan details

The iCloud+ features

  • Private Relay: The Apple VPN Subscription
  • Hide my email for less spam
  • Unlimited HomeKit camera support
  • Digital legacy: A will for your digital data

Private Relay

One of the biggest upgrades to iCloud Plus is Private Relay. This is Apple’s VPN-like that helps protect your internet tracking, but it’s not a typical VPN. VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, which lets you encrypt your data, mask your IP address, and bypass country-specific Internet restrictions by making it look like you’re somewhere else.

What Private Relay does is a little different, as it routes your Internet traffic through two relays instead of one. This keeps information, such as who is surfing and where the data is coming from, private. Using a second relay prevents even Apple from seeing your browsing history, which means you experience less targeted advertising and other privacy benefits.

Pro tip: Private Relay is only available in Apple’s Safari browser. For full protection, you need a true VPN for iPhone and iPad.

Hide My Email for Less Spam

Spam emails are a problem we all struggle with, and Hide My Email is a great solution to remove less relevant emails from your inbox. This is basically a burner email feature that automatically generates disposable email addresses that are forwarded to your existing account.

This is useful if you don’t trust a website and want to protect it from spam. Sign in with Apple already does something similar, but this gives you even more control.

Unlimited HomeKit enabled video.

HomeKit allows you to set up and manage a smart home. However, sorting and storing footage from home security cameras can be difficult, especially with higher-end cameras. With the iCloud+ upgrade, you can store unlimited videos from your surveillance cameras. These videos are stored in the cloud and not deducted from the storage you pay for.

The disadvantage is that your iCloud storage tiers make a difference. You can attach an infinite number of cameras if you have the maximum 2 TB package and could only access up to five devices if you have 200GB. You could only add one device if you do have the 50 GB plan.

Digital legacy: A will for your digital data

Do you know what happens to all your data after you pass? The Digital Legacy program is the iCloud plus feature that lets you rest in peace. You can make sure that your friends or family can access the security codes and files after your death. Also, trusted contacts can help you access your lost device in case of emergency. Learn how to set up Apple Digital Legacy here.

iCloud Plus is an exciting upgrade that aims to make user data secure, private, and easier to manage. It also makes managing a smart home easier by giving HomeKit-enabled security cameras unlimited storage. Best of all, it doesn’t increase iCloud storage fees! Next, read this to learn how to fix storage Almost complete error for some iOS 15 users.

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