Apple is introducing Advanced Protection for iCloud with the release of iOS 16.3 and macOS 13.2, which uses end-to-end encryption to provide Apple’s highest level of cloud data security yet. Everything you need to know about enabling it on your devices is right here.
The new security feature gives users the option to further secure their important iCloud data, such as iCloud Backup, Photos, Notes, and more.
Because Apple employs end-to-end encryption, the vast majority of your most sensitive iCloud data can only be decrypted on trusted Apple devices where you’re signed in with your Apple ID account, ensuring that the data remains secure even in the event of a data breach in the cloud. In other words, no one – not even Apple – has access to the data except you.
By default, iCloud protects 14 sensitive data categories with end-to-end encryption, including passwords in iCloud Keychain and Health data. When Advanced Data Protection is enabled, the total number of data categories protected by end-to-end encryption increases to 23, including iCloud Backup, Notes, and Photos.
Advanced Data Protection offers end-to-end encryption for the additional iCloud categories listed below:
Because of the need to interoperate with global email, contacts, and calendar systems, the only major iCloud data categories that are not covered are iCloud Mail, Contacts, and Calendar.
Importantly, Advanced Data Protection for iCloud is an opt-in feature, which means you must enable it yourself by following the instructions below. It is important to note that if you lose access to your account, you can only recover your data by entering your device’s passcode or password, a recovery contact, or a recovery key. (Before Advanced Data Protection is enabled, you will be directed to create at least one recovery contact or recovery key.)
It’s also worth noting that when Advanced Data Protection is enabled, access to your data via iCloud.com is disabled by default, though you can enable data access on iCloud.com, which allows the web browser and Apple to temporarily access data-specific encryption keys.
Before you enable Advanced Data Protection, you must first update all of your devices to the most recent software versions; otherwise, these devices will be removed from your account because they do not support end-to-end encryption. Advanced Data Protection will be available globally on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac beginning with iOS 16.3, iPadOS 16.3, and macOS 13.2 in January 2023.
Account Recovery must be enabled before Advanced Data Protection can be enabled. This ensures that if you forget your password, you can recover your data.
During Account Recovery setup, you’ll be able to choose a recovery contact – a trusted person who also owns an Apple device, such as a family member or friend. If you forget your password, they will receive recovery codes.
You can also create a 28-character recovery key, which you should print out and keep somewhere safe, or store in a password manager.
After you’ve configured Account Recovery, you can enable Advanced Data Protection for iCloud Backups.
That’s all. End-to-end encryption is now used to protect your iCloud backups.
Advanced Data Protection can be disabled at any time. When you do this, your device will securely upload the necessary encryption keys to Apple servers, and your account will revert to its default level of security.
“If you’ve tried these steps and still need some assistance, we’re just around the corner. Schedule a repair at our website or call us directly at +1(713) 547-5782 and our certified experts will have your device up and running as soon as the next day.”
How to backup an iPhone using iTunes?
How to back up an iPhone using Mac?
What is iCloud and how do I use it?
A Guide to Factory Reset in iPhone:
Here is a guide to use ChatGPT on iPhone:
How to use ChatGPT on Android Device
3 usually undiscovered features on Apple’s iPhone 14
What are passkeys and how to use them?
How to use iMessage on Windows using Phone Link
How to add Dynamic Island to your Android phone