Unlocking the Secrets: A Step-by-Step Guide to Activating iCloud Private Relay on Your Apple Devices

Launched a few years ago alongside iOS 15, Apple’s iCloud+ service with iCloud Private Relay has surged in popularity since the start of the year as a means to circumvent new internet content restrictions. However, its utility extends beyond merely evading content restrictors.

Here’s how to utilize it and the advantages it can offer you.

What Is It?

iCloud+ is a subscription service that offers extra iCloud storage, plus several security improvements: Hide My Email (which I found particularly beneficial in avoiding spam during the holiday sign-ups for discounts at retailers), Custom Email Domain, HomeKit Secure Video support, and iCloud Private Relay.

iCloud Private Relay safeguards your privacy while navigating online. It functions as a type of “hands-free” VPN, concealing your IP address so that you aren’t tracked while using the internet through Safari, merely relaying a general geographic location. You can enhance its security further by sharing only your country and time zone during your browsing.

This might not suffice for individuals wanting to access content that is unavailable in their current region. Only a VPN service allows you to alter your browsing region. Yet for those who prefer not to fine-tune a VPN and simply want to surf the web without being monitored, it serves as an excellent solution.

How Much Does It Cost?

If you aren’t interested in the additional iCloud storage and only desire Private Relay, the most economical package is $.99 monthly for a 50GB option. You can access up to 12TB of iCloud storage for $64.99 monthly. The 2TB plan at $9.99 per month is likely the sweet spot for most users. You can share your plan with your Family group.

How Do I Activate It?

To set up your subscription, tap on your profile in the Settings app on your device. After purchasing a plan, you will discover additional configurations in the iCloud section.

From there, you can enable iCloud Private Relay (this must be configured on each device) and choose whether you’d like to maintain your general geographic location or just your country and time zone.

If you come across a website that experiences issues while using iCloud Private Relay, or if you notice a slowdown in your access, Apple has instructions for disabling the feature for specific websites.

Will This Enable Me To Access Restricted Internet Content?

New legislation enacted at the start of the year mandates age verification via ID before accessing adult websites in regions like Florida. Well-known adult content platforms, such as PornHub and their affiliated sites, have reacted by blocking access to their sites entirely from these locations, arguing that the absence of privacy and inconsistent enforcement leads to diminished internet safety, rather than an enhancement.

The outcome is that, if you reside in a state where the prohibition is enforced, even if you visit a restricted site using iCloud Private Relay through WiFi, you will still encounter the blocked version of the website. This is one area where services like NordVPN can facilitate complete bypassing since you maintain precise control over your virtual location along with your IP address.

However, accessing through cellular is a distinct situation. With iCloud Private Relay activated, you can visit any website you would be able to from your current country, even if you’re physically in a restricted area. Nevertheless, this will not grant access to sites that have entirely altered their access policies and no longer permit anonymous browsing.

If you’re under the impression that this indicates age verification laws are straightforward to circumvent and that vigilant parenting remains the key to ensuring minors in your care don’t access inappropriate material, you would be correct.

So Is iCloud Private Relay Superior to VPN?

It depends. If you need to reach sites that aren’t typically accessible in your country, then iCloud Private Relay won’t resolve the problem. Only a VPN provides a thorough solution for accurate location browsing.

Moreover, it is only compatible with Safari. Therefore, if you use another browser to browse the internet, iCloud Private Relay will not assist you.

Nonetheless, iCloud+ offers benefits beyond just IP and location concealment through iCloud Private Relay. Particularly if you require additional iCloud storage, the monthly charge is quite reasonable.

It’s also very affordable to experiment with. For less than a dollar, you can activate iCloud+ for a month and determine if iCloud Private Relay meets your needs. Simply open the Settings app on your preferred Apple device to begin.