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Revision as of 01:12, 26 January 2012 editAsiaworldcity (talk | contribs)313 edits Undid revision 473218593 by CharlesDayton (talk)← Previous edit Latest revision as of 05:08, 23 January 2025 edit undoGuy Harris (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users76,862 edits iCloud Keychain: The first thing the sentence should say is what it *is*, not when it was announced or released. 
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{{short description|Cloud storage and cloud computing service by Apple}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2011}}
{{Lowercase title}} {{Lowercase title}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2023}}
{{About|the cloud service operated by Apple Inc|the service previously named icloud by Xcerion|CloudMe}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox software
{{Infobox online service
|name = iCloud
|logo = ] | name = iCloud
|screenshot = ] | logo = ]<br /><br />]
| logo_alt =
|caption =iCloud on ]
| image = ICloud and iWork for web screenshot.png
|developer = ]
| caption = The iCloud.com web interface
|released = Developers release<br />June 6, 2011<br />Public release<br />October 12, 2011<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2011/06/06icloud.html |title=Press Info – Apple Introduces iCloud |publisher=Apple |date=2011-06-06 |accessdate=2011-08-30}}</ref>
| image_size =
|latest_release_version = 1.0.1
| image_alt =
|operating_system = ] <br /> ] <br /> ]
| collapsetext = <!-- collapsible area's heading (default "Screenshot"); omit/leave blank if collapsible not set -->
|genre = ]
| type = ]
|license = ]
| launched = {{start date and age|2011|10|12}}
|website = {{URL|https://www.icloud.com}}
| version = <!-- do not include the version of the Windows app; this must be applicable to all platforms, or should be kept blank -->
| version release date = <!-- see above, keep blank -->
| updated = <!-- see above, keep blank -->
| platform =
| operating system =
| status = Active
| pricing = Free; optional subscription for more storage
| members =
| website = {{URL|icloud.com}}
}} }}


'''iCloud''' is a ] service operated by ] Launched on October 12, 2011, iCloud enables users to store and ] data across devices, including ], ], ], ], contacts, settings, backups, and files, to collaborate with other users, and track ] through ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apps and features that use iCloud |url=https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/overview-of-apps-and-features-that-use-icloud-mm203ae070a2/1.0/icloud/1.0 |access-date=January 6, 2023 |website=Apple Support |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203247/https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/overview-of-apps-and-features-that-use-icloud-mm203ae070a2/1.0/icloud/1.0 |url-status=live }}</ref> It is built into ], ], ], ], ], and ]. iCloud may additionally be accessed through a limited ] and ] application.
'''iCloud''' is a ] and ] service<ref name=cloudconundrum>{{cite web |title=Switched On: Apple's cloud conundrum |url=http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/12/switched-on-apples-cloud-conundrum/ |publisher=] |date=June 13, 2011 |accessdate=June 13, 2011}}</ref><ref name=troublecloud> {{cite web |title=Fourth time's a charm? Why Apple has trouble with cloud computing |url=http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2011/06/fourth-times-a-charm-why-icloud-faces-long-odds.ars |publisher=] |date=June 8, 2011 |accessdate=June 13, 2011}}</ref><ref name=fromto>{{cite web |title=4th Time a Charm for Apple? From iDisk to .Mac to MobileMe to iCloud |url=http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2011/05/icloud-apple/|work=] |date=May 31, 2011 |accessdate=June 13, 2011}}</ref> from ] announced on June 6, 2011 at the ] (WWDC). The service allows users to store data such as music files on remote ]s for download to multiple devices such as ]-based devices, and personal computers running ] or ]. It also replaces Apple's ] service,<ref name=cloudconundrum>{{cite web |title=Switched On: Apple's cloud conundrum |url=http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/12/switched-on-apples-cloud-conundrum/ |publisher=] |date=June 13, 2011 |accessdate=June 13, 2011}}</ref><ref name=troublecloud/><ref name=fromto/> acting as a data syncing center for email, contacts, calendars, bookmarks, notes, to-do lists, and other data.

iCloud offers users 5 ] of free storage which may be upgraded through optional paid plans to up to 12 TB;<ref>{{Cite web |title=What you can do with iCloud storage |url=https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/about-icloud-storage-mm3d17a80e23/1.0/icloud/1.0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203240/https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/about-icloud-storage-mm3d17a80e23/1.0/icloud/1.0 |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |access-date=January 6, 2023 |website=Apple Support |language=en}}</ref><ref name="iCloud+ adds a 6TB and 12TB storage plan">{{cite news |last=Silberling |first=Amanda |date=12 September 2023 |title=iCloud+ adds a 6TB and 12TB storage plan |work=] |url=https://techcrunch.com/2023/09/12/icloud-adds-a-6tb-and-12tb-storage-plan/ |access-date=13 September 2023}}</ref> all paid plans include iCloud+ providing additional features.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is iCloud+? |url=https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/icloud-overview-mmfc854d9604/icloud |access-date=January 6, 2023 |website=Apple Support |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203231/https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/icloud-overview-mmfc854d9604/icloud |url-status=live }}</ref> Optional ] has been available since 2022 for all iCloud data, except Calendar, Contacts, and Mail, which rely on legacy sync technologies for compatibility with third-party apps (], ], ]).<ref name=":2">{{Cite magazine |last=Newman |first=Lily Hay |title=Apple Expands End-to-End Encryption to iCloud Backups |url=https://www.wired.com/story/apple-end-to-end-encryption-icloud-backups/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203226/https://www.wired.com/story/apple-end-to-end-encryption-icloud-backups/ |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |access-date=December 7, 2022 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=January 23, 2023 |title=La version finale de macOS 13.2 est disponible avec plusieurs fonctions de sécurité |url=https://www.macg.co/macos/2023/01/la-version-finale-de-macos-132-est-disponible-avec-plusieurs-fonctions-de-securite-134305 |access-date=January 23, 2023 |website=MacGeneration |language=fr}}</ref> {{As of|2018}}, the service had an estimated 850 million users, up from 782 million users in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/11/apple-could-sell-icloud-for-the-enterprise-barclays-says.html|title=The case for Apple to sell a version of iCloud for work|last=Novet|first=Jordan|date=February 11, 2018|publisher=]|access-date=April 30, 2019|archive-date=January 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203229/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/11/apple-could-sell-icloud-for-the-enterprise-barclays-says.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Apple Music passes 11M subscribers as iCloud hits 782M users|url=http://appleinsider.com/articles/16/02/12/apple-music-passes-11m-subscribers-as-icloud-hits-782m-users|date=February 12, 2016|access-date=April 29, 2016|archive-date=April 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420080013/http://appleinsider.com/articles/16/02/12/apple-music-passes-11m-subscribers-as-icloud-hits-782m-users|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>'"They Might Be Giants" With A Spanish Accent', With Special Guests Eddy Cue And Craig Federighi, The talk show 146 (32:57) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124095329/https://daringfireball.net/thetalkshow/2016/02/12/ep-146|date=January 24, 2019}} February 12, 2016</ref>


==History== ==History==
iCloud was announced on May 31, 2011, in a press release.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 31, 2011 |title=Steve Jobs to unveil 'iCloud', Mac OS X Lion and iOS 5 at WWDC |url=http://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2011/may/31/steve-jobs-icloud-lion-ios5 |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203232/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2011/may/31/steve-jobs-icloud-lion-ios5 |url-status=live }}</ref> On June 6, 2011, during the ] keynote, ] announced that iCloud would replace ], which had been widely seen as a "failure",<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Chen |first=Brian X. |title=4th Time a Charm for Apple? From iDisk to .Mac to MobileMe to iCloud |language=en-US |magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/2011/05/icloud-apple/ |access-date=October 26, 2022 |issn=1059-1028 |archive-date=April 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427193757/http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2011/05/icloud-apple |url-status=live }}</ref> a fact which Steve Jobs acknowledged during the announcement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=iCloud: The Mother of All Halos |url=https://allthingsd.com/20110608/icloud-the-mother-of-all-halos/ |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=AllThingsD |language=en-US |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203247/https://allthingsd.com/20110608/icloud-the-mother-of-all-halos/ |url-status=live }}</ref> iCloud was released on October 12, 2011, and ] was discontinued on June 30, 2012. Previous MobileMe users could keep their @mac.com and @me.com email addresses as aliases to their new @icloud.com address. Earlier versions included ], which was previously part of ].<ref name="b2mm">{{cite web |date=October 12, 2011 |title=Transition from MobileMe to iCloud |url=https://www.apple.com/mobileme/transition.html |access-date=October 12, 2011 |publisher=] |archive-date=July 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729022511/http://www.apple.com/mobileme/transition.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This service allowed users to create point-to-point connections between computers. It was discontinued on July 1, 2019.
iCloud is the latest branding of Apple's cloud computing services. It has previously been branded as iTools in 2000, ] in 2002, and ] in 2008.<ref name=cloudconundrum></ref><ref name=troublecloud></ref><ref name=fromto></ref>


iCloud had 20&nbsp;million users within a week after launch.<ref name="20m users">{{cite web |date=October 17, 2011 |title=Big mo: In one week, Apple iCloud hits 20M users; 25M use iOS 5 |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-20121323-17/big-mo-in-one-week-apple-icloud-hits-20m-users-25m-use-ios-5 |access-date=October 18, 2011 |publisher=] |archive-date=December 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224025034/http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-20121323-17/big-mo-in-one-week-apple-icloud-hits-20m-users-25m-use-ios-5/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It received early criticism for bugs, especially with ] syncing.<ref name="verge broken icloud">{{cite web |last=Hamburger |first=Ellis |date=March 26, 2013 |title=Apple's broken promise: why doesn't iCloud 'just work'? |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/3/26/4148628/why-doesnt-icloud-just-work |access-date=May 31, 2013 |website=] |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203242/https://www.theverge.com/2013/3/26/4148628/why-doesnt-icloud-just-work |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="TNW broken icloud">{{cite web |last=Panzarino |first=Matthew |date=March 27, 2013 |title=A tale of two iClouds |url=https://thenextweb.com/apple/2013/03/27/which-icloud-actually-sucks |access-date=May 31, 2013 |publisher=The Next Web |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203251/https://thenextweb.com/news/which-icloud-actually-sucks |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="more core data fix?">{{cite web |last=Richie |first=Rene |date=April 5, 2013 |title=Debug 12: iCloud and Core Data sync |url=http://www.imore.com/debug-12-icloud-core-data-sync |access-date=July 2, 2013 |publisher=] |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203234/https://www.imore.com/debug-12-icloud-core-data-sync |url-status=live }}</ref> These issues were addressed in ] and ].<ref name="apple new core data">{{cite web |last=Gillett |first=Nick |date=June 25, 2013 |title=WWDC 2013: What's New in Core Data and iCloud |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTTBxyR-XsI |access-date=July 2, 2013 |work=] |publisher=] |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203323/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTTBxyR-XsI |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="iCloud and Core Data">{{cite web |last=Bischoff |first=Matthew |date=March 1, 2014 |title=iCloud and Core Data |url=http://www.objc.io/issues/10-syncing-data/icloud-core-data/ |access-date=July 6, 2015 |publisher=] |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203238/https://www.objc.io/issues/10-syncing-data/icloud-core-data/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
According to an Apple support page, MobileMe will be discontinued after June 30, 2012, and anyone who had an account as of the unveiling of iCloud has been extended to that date, free of charge.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4597 |title=Information about the MobileMe transition |publisher=Support.apple.com |date= |accessdate=2011-08-30}}</ref>


At launch, iCloud was partly hosted on ] and ]. In 2016, Apple replaced Azure with ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apple may no longer be using Microsoft's Azure |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/apple-may-no-longer-be-using-microsofts-azure/ |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=ZDNET |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203303/https://www.zdnet.com/article/apple-may-no-longer-be-using-microsofts-azure/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021, '']'' reported that Apple was storing 8 million ] of data on Google's cloud, and was on track to spend $300 million that year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apple's Spending on Google Cloud Storage On Track to Soar 50% This Year |url=https://www.theinformation.com/articles/apples-spending-on-google-cloud-storage-on-track-to-soar-50-this-year |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=The Information |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203234/https://www.theinformation.com/articles/apples-spending-on-google-cloud-storage-on-track-to-soar-50-this-year |url-status=live }}</ref> Apple also operates its own data centers, including one in ], ].<ref name="reg DC 1">{{cite web |date=June 9, 2011 |title=Apple Maiden data center |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/06/09/apple_maiden_data_center |access-date=February 2, 2013 |website=] |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203232/https://www.theregister.com/2011/06/09/apple_maiden_data_center |url-status=live }}</ref>
The official website, www.icloud.com, went live in early August for Apple Developers.
On October 12, 2011, iCloud became available to use via an iTunes update.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apple.com/itunes/?cid=OAS-US-DOMAINS-itunes.com |title=iTunes – Everything you need to be entertained |publisher=Apple |date= |accessdate=2011-10-30}}</ref>
iCloud had 20 million users in less than a week. In June 2011 the Canadian bank ] found that 76 percent of iPhone owners planned to use iCloud when the service launched, and predicted that 150 million people could eventually sign up for iCloud.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-20121323-17/big-mo-in-one-week-apple-icloud-hits-20m-users-25m-use-ios-5/ |title=Big mo: In one week, Apple iCloud hits 20M users; 25M use iOS 5 |date=October 17, 2011}}</ref>


In June 2019, iCloud was introduced to Windows 10 via the ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sardo |first=Giorgio |date=June 11, 2019 |title=Apple's all-new iCloud for Windows app, now available in the Microsoft Store |url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2019/06/11/apples-all-new-icloud-for-windows-app-now-available-in-the-microsoft-store/ |access-date=June 12, 2019 |website=Windows Experience Blog |language=en-US |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203237/https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2019/06/11/apples-all-new-icloud-for-windows-app-now-available-in-the-microsoft-store/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Announcement==
The first official mention of iCloud from Apple came on May 31, 2011, when a press release<ref>{{cite press release |title=Apple to Unveil Next Generation Software at Keynote Address on Monday, June 6 |url=http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2011/05/31wwdc.html |publisher=] |date=May 31, 2011 |accessdate=May 31, 2011}}
</ref> announced that it would demonstrate the service at the WWDC on June 6, 2011. A banner hung at the ] for WWDC revealed the iCloud logo five days before the official launch.<ref name="IBTimes HK">{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Daniel|title=WWDC 2011: OS X, iOS 5, iCloud coins unveiled (PHOTO LEAKS)|url=http://hken.ibtimes.com/articles/156604/20110602/wwdc-2011-mac-os-x-iso-5-icloud-coins-unveiled-photo-leaks.htm|accessdate=June 2, 2011|newspaper=]|date=June 2, 2011}}</ref>


In June 2021, Apple introduced iCloud+, which added Private Relay, Hide My Email and Custom Email Domain to paid users of the services, as well as an unlimited storage limit for video from cameras added through HomeKit Secure Video.
In the ] 2011 keynote speech,<ref>{{cite web|title=WWDC 2011 Keynote Speech|url=http://events.apple.com.edgesuite.net/11piubpwiqubf06/event/|publisher=Apple Inc.}}</ref> Apple announced iCloud will replace ] services and that the basic iCloud service will be free of charge.

In March 2022, Apple settled a class-action lawsuit alleging that it had misled users by storing data on non-Apple servers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Simon |first=Michael |date=March 25, 2022 |title=If you pay for extra iCloud storage, you may have a refund coming |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/626014/icloud-storage-class-action-lawsuit-settlement.html |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=Macworld |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203255/https://www.macworld.com/article/626014/icloud-storage-class-action-lawsuit-settlement.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Avery |first=Dan |title=Apple's $14.8 Million iCloud Settlement: When Will My Money Arrive? |url=https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/apples-14-8-million-icloud-settlement-when-will-my-money-arrive/ |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=CNET |date=September 7, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203314/https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/apples-14-8-million-icloud-settlement-when-will-my-money-arrive/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Features== ==Features==
iCloud is a free service, and comes with 5 GB of cloud storage. Users can subscribe to iCloud+ for additional storage up to 2&nbsp;TB (or 4&nbsp;TB for users of ] Premier plan who also buy an additional 2 TB of storage).
The cloud-based system allows users to store music, photos, applications, documents, bookmarks, reminders, notes, iBooks, and contacts, as well as serving as a platform for Apple's email servers and calendars. iCloud's storage backend is hosted by Microsoft's ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|author=infiniteapple |url=http://www.infiniteapple.net/apple-icloud-azure-use-tested-confirmed/ |title=Apple iCloud Azure use tested, confirmed |publisher=Infiniteapple.net |date=2011-06-13 |accessdate=2011-08-30}}</ref><ref name="register"></ref>


Some of iCloud's features are accessible not only through apps built into iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS and macOS but also on iCloud.com. These include:
===iOS Device Backup and Restore===
iCloud allows users to back up iOS devices (]) online; they can be restored from backup without connecting to a computer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apple.com/icloud/features/apps-books-backup.html |title=Apple's iCloud Apps, Books and Backup |publisher=Apple Inc.}}</ref>


* iCloud Mail, a free email address (@icloud.com) which supports ], a webmail interface, and ] sync to third-party clients;
===Find My iPhone===
* Contacts and calendar syncing, and calendar sharing features, as well as support for ] and ];
Find My iPhone, formerly part of ], allows users to track the location of their ], ], ], or ]. A user can see the device's approximate location on a map (along with a circle showing the radius depicting the ]), display a message or play a sound on the device (even if it is set to silent), change the password on the device, and remotely erase its contents.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apple.com/icloud/features/find-my.html |title=Apple's iCloud Apps, Books and Backup |publisher=Apple Inc.}}</ref>
* iCloud Drive, a ] and syncing feature;
* iCloud Photos, which stores and syncs pictures in full-resolution;
* Pages, Keynote, and Numbers, allowing real-time collaboration on both native apps and the web;
* Notes and Reminders sync, and the ability to edit and create notes and reminders on the web;
* ], which lets users find their Apple devices or other ''Find My''-enabled devices, and remotely erase lost Apple devices;


iCloud is also built-in as a backend to many Apple apps and system features, where it can sync users' data and settings. This includes:
===Photo Stream===

Photo Stream is a service supplied with the basic iCloud service which allows users to store the most recent 1,000 photos on the iCloud servers up to 30 days free of charge. When a photo is taken on a device with Photo Stream enabled, it is automatically uploaded to the iCloud servers; from there, it is automatically pushed to the rest of the user's registered devices. Apple has announced that the service will be integrated with the ] set-top box, allowing users to wirelessly view their recent photos on their HDTV.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.infotrends.com/?p=4366#more-4366 |title=Apple's iCloud Connects People and their Photos |publisher=InfoTrends InfoBlog |date=2011-06-08 |accessdate=2011-08-30}}</ref>
* ] (books, highlights, bookmarks and annotations);
* ] (settings and paired devices);
* ] (with a feature called iCloud Music Library);
* ] (passes and credit cards);
* Phone (call history);
* ] (syncing bookmarks and history);
* ] (settings, and past interactions with Siri and Dictation)
Third-party iOS and macOS app developers can implement iCloud functionality in their apps through the iCloud ].<ref name="iCloud for devs">{{cite web |title=iCloud for Developers |url=https://developer.apple.com/icloud |publisher=] |access-date=October 27, 2016 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304012435/https://developer.apple.com/icloud |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Backup and restore===

iCloud allows users to back up the settings and data on ] running iOS 5 or later.<ref name="Backup and restore">{{cite web|url=http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4859|title=iCloud: Backup and Restore Overview|publisher=]|date=February 17, 2014|access-date=October 30, 2012|archive-date=April 24, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424215035/http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4859|url-status=live}}</ref> Data backed up includes photos and videos in the Camera Roll, device settings, app data, messages (iMessage, SMS, and MMS), ringtones, and Visual Voicemails.<ref>{{cite web|title=What does iCloud back up?|url=https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT207428|publisher=]|access-date=April 1, 2017|archive-date=May 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502122409/https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT207428|url-status=live}}</ref> Backups occur daily when the device is locked and connected to Wi-Fi and a power source. In case of a malfunction of any Apple device, during the restoration process, iCloud offers to restore all data along with App data only if the device was synced to iCloud and backed up.

===Find My===
{{main|Find My}}

Prior to iOS and iPadOS 13, ] and ] stored data in iCloud before merging into ].

Find My enables users to track the location of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS devices, ], ] and a number of supported third-party accessories through a connected iCloud account. A user can see the device's approximate location on a map (along with a circle depicting the ]), display a message and/or play a sound on the device (even if it is set to silent), and remotely erase its contents.<ref name="Apple FMI 1">{{cite web|url=https://www.apple.com/icloud/features/find-my-iphone.html|title=Apple - iCloud - Find your missing Apple device.|publisher=]|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-date=January 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203249/https://www.apple.com/icloud/find-my/|url-status=live}}</ref> Users can also share their ] to others with Apple devices and view the location of others who choose to share their location.

The Send Last Location feature, which utilizes iCloud, can be optionally enabled to automatically send the location of the device to Apple when the battery is low.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New 'Send Last Location to Apple' Feature Added to Find My iPhone in iOS 8 |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2014/06/03/ios-8-send-last-location/ |access-date=January 6, 2023 |website=MacRumors |date=June 3, 2014 |language=en |archive-date=January 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106060638/https://www.macrumors.com/2014/06/03/ios-8-send-last-location/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===iCloud Keychain<!-- multiple redirects link here -->===
{{See also|Keychain (software)}}

iCloud Keychain is a ] developed by ] that syncs passwords across devices and suggests secure ones when creating new accounts.<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 9, 2017|first=Cory|last=Bohon|title=Apple's iCloud Keychain: The smart person's guide|url=https://www.techrepublic.com/article/apples-icloud-keychain-the-smart-persons-guide/|access-date=February 15, 2021|website=TechRepublic|language=en}}</ref> It is integrated into Safari, and is accessible from other applications on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Set up iCloud Keychain |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/109016 |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=Apple Support |language=en}}</ref> It was announced at WWDC 2013, and released in October 2013 alongside iOS 7.0.3.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bohon |first=Cory |date=2017-02-09 |title=Apple's iCloud Keychain: The smart person's guide |url=https://www.techrepublic.com/article/apples-icloud-keychain-the-smart-persons-guide/#Why_iCloud_Keychain_matters |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=TechRepublic |language=en-US}}</ref>

iCloud Keychain backups provide different security guarantees than traditional iCloud backups. This is because iCloud Keychain uses "]", meaning that iCloud Keychain backups are designed so that the provider does not have access to unencrypted data. This is accomplished through the use of a novel "key vault" design based on a ] located in Apple's data centers.<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 18, 2021|title=Secure iCloud Keychain recovery|url=https://support.apple.com/guide/security/secure-icloud-keychain-recovery-secdeb202947/1/web/1|website=Apple.com|language=en|access-date=March 21, 2021|archive-date=January 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203302/https://support.apple.com/guide/security/secure-icloud-keychain-recovery-secdeb202947/1/web/1|url-status=live}}</ref>


In ] and ], iCloud Keychain was migrated from a page in the settings app to a standalone app, ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Flaherty |first=Kate |title=iOS 18 Includes A New Passwords App: Here’s How To Use It |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kateoflahertyuk/2024/09/20/ios-18-includes-a-new-passwords-app-heres-how-to-use-it/ |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> The Passwords app continues to sync with iCloud Keychain and the ] application.
===Back to My Mac===
{{main|Back to My Mac}}
Back to My Mac, previously part of MobileMe, is now included with iCloud.<ref>Transition from MobileMe to iCloud,,"Apple.com",12 October 2011</ref> This service allows users to login remotely to other computers configured with the same ] that have Back to My Mac enabled.


===iTunes Match=== ===iTunes Match===
{{other uses|ITunes (disambiguation)}}
iTunes Match debuted on 14 November 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apple.com/itunes/whats-new/ |title=What's new in iTunes. |publisher=Apple, Inc. |date=2011-11-14 |accessdate=2011-11-14}}</ref> For an annual charge of $24.99<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apple.com/itunes/itunes-match/ |title=iTunes Match pricing on Apple |publisher=Apple Inc.|date=2011-06-06 |accessdate=2011-08-30}}</ref> customers can scan and match tracks in their iTunes music library, including tracks copied from CDs or other sources, with tracks in the iTunes Store. Apple lets customers download up to 25,000 tracks in 256 kbps ] free AAC file format that match tracks in any supported audio file format such as ] and ] in the customers' iTunes libraries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.macrumors.com/2011/06/06/itunes-in-the-cloud-with-itunes-match-24-99year-matches-ripped-tunes-offers-them-in-the-cloud |title=iTunes Match: $24.99/Year, Matches Ripped Tunes, Offers Them In The Cloud |publisher=MacRumors |date=2011-06-06 |accessdate=2011-08-30}}</ref> Customers can also upload any music that is not available in the iTunes Store for download onto other supported devices or computers. Even if a user stops paying for the service, downloaded music is unaffected as it is in ]-free ] format.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apple.com/icloud/features/ |title=iCloud Features: iTunes in the Cloud. |publisher=Apple, Inc. |date=2011-11-14 |accessdate=2011-11-14}}</ref> iTunes Match is currently available in 37 countries, including USA, Australia, Europe, and Canada.<ref>http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4914</ref>
] debuted on November 14, 2011. It was initially available to US users only.<ref name="Apple IT Match 1">{{cite web|url=https://www.apple.com/itunes/whats-new|title=What's new in iTunes.|publisher=]|date=November 14, 2011|access-date=November 14, 2011|archive-date=January 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203235/https://www.apple.com/itunes/|url-status=live}}</ref> For an annual fee, customers can scan and match tracks in their iTunes music library, including tracks copied from ] or other sources, with tracks in the iTunes Store, so customers do not have to repurchase said tracks. Customers may download up to 100,000 tracks in 256&nbsp;kbit/s ]-free ] file format that matches tracks in any supported audio file formats in customers' iTunes libraries, including ] and ]. Customers also have the choice to keep their original copies stored on their computers or have them replaced by copies from the iTunes Store.<ref name="MR IT Match 1">{{cite web|url=http://www.macrumors.com/2011/06/06/itunes-in-the-cloud-with-itunes-match-24-99year-matches-ripped-tunes-offers-them-in-the-cloud|title=iTunes Match: $24.99/Year, Matches Ripped Tunes, Offers Them In The Cloud|publisher=]|date=June 6, 2011|access-date=August 30, 2011|archive-date=May 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501210413/https://www.macrumors.com/2011/06/06/itunes-in-the-cloud-with-itunes-match-24-99year-matches-ripped-tunes-offers-them-in-the-cloud/|url-status=live}}</ref> Any music not available in the iTunes Store is uploaded for download onto customers' other supported devices and computers; doing this will not take storage from the customers' iCloud's storage allowance. Any such tracks stored in the higher quality ] ALAC, or original uncompressed ] formats, ] and ], are ] to 256&nbsp;kbit/s DRM-free AAC format before uploading to the customers' iCloud storage account, leaving the original higher quality local files in their original format.<ref name=ALAC-encoding>{{cite web|url=http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4914|title=iTunes Store: How to subscribe to iTunes Match|publisher=]|quote=''Songs encoded in ALAC, WAV, or AIFF will be transcoded to a separate temporary AAC 256 kbps file locally, prior to uploading to iCloud. The original files will remain untouched.''|date=January 16, 2012|access-date=July 6, 2012|archive-date=January 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104063739/https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204146|url-status=live}}</ref>


If a user stops paying for the iTunes Match service, all copies of the DRM-free ] iTunes Store versions of tracks that have already been downloaded onto any device can be kept,<ref name="Apple IT Match 2">{{cite web|url=https://www.apple.com/icloud/features|title=iCloud Features: iTunes in the Cloud.|publisher=]|date=November 14, 2011|access-date=November 14, 2011|archive-date=January 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203236/https://www.apple.com/icloud/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="MacWorld UK 20111116">{{cite web|url=http://www.macworld.com/article/163658/2011/11/itunes_match_what_you_need_to_know.html|title=iTunes Match: What you need to know|work=]|publisher=]|first1=Serenity|last1=Caldwell|first2=Chris|last2=Breen|first3=Lex|last3=Friedman|date=November 16, 2011|access-date=December 16, 2011|archive-date=March 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313051659/http://www.macworld.com/article/163658/2011/11/itunes_match_what_you_need_to_know.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> whether on iOS devices or computers.<ref name="Apple IT Match 2"/>
==Storage pricing==
Each account has 5 GB of free storage; content purchased from Apple (music, Apps, Audiobooks and music videos) is stored separately and does not count towards the free 5GB limit. Any music files purchased via ] can be automatically, or manually if preferred, downloaded to any registered device (e.g. iPods, iPhones, and computers). Also, when a user registers any new device, all previously bought iTunes content can be downloaded from the iCloud servers.<ref>{{cite web|last=Myslewski |first=Rik|url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/06/06/icloud|title=Apple opens iCloud to world+dog|publisher=The Register|date=2011-06-06|accessdate=2011-08-30}}</ref>


From ] and ], the ] function will be available across devices, including integration with the Music app, both on portable iOS devices and ] (2nd generation onwards), as well as inside the ] app on Macintosh and Windows computers. It will be included in an ad-free version for subscribers to the iTunes Match service and is currently{{when|date=August 2019}} available only in ] and ]<ref name="iTunes Radio Apple">{{cite web|url=https://www.apple.com/itunes/itunes-radio|title=Apple - iTunes Radio - Here where your music takes you.|publisher=]|access-date=June 15, 2013|archive-date=June 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613120404/https://www.apple.com/itunes/itunes-radio|url-status=live}}</ref>
On introduction in 2011, 5&nbsp;GB of storage was available without charge. Additional storage could be purchased in tiers of 10, 20, or 50&nbsp;GB (50&nbsp;GB being the maximum) for ]20, UK]14, or ]16 per 10&nbsp;GB per year.<ref name="apple's icloud prices" group="storage pricing">{{cite web|title=Apple.com – iCloud: Storage Upgrade Options|url=http://www.apple.com/icloud/includes/lightbox-storage.html#lightbox-storage|publisher=Apple, Inc|accessdate=5 September 2011}}</ref><ref name="icloud all prices" group="storage pricing">{{cite news|last=Gurman|first=Mark|title=iCloud pricing per year: $20 for 10GB, $40 for 20GB, $100 for 50GB (update: UK and EU prices)|url=http://9to5mac.com/2011/08/01/icloud-pricing-per-year-20-for-10gb-40-for-20gb-100-for-50gb/|accessdate=5 September 2011|newspaper=9to5mac|date=1 August 2011}}</ref><ref name="iCloud US prices" group="storage pricing">{{cite news|last=Panzarino|first=Matthew|title=Apple’s iCloud Pricing|url=http://thenextweb.com/apple/2011/08/02/apples-icloud-pricing-5gb-free-20-for-10gb-40-for-20gb-and-100-for-50gb/|accessdate=5 September 2011|newspaper=The Next Web|date=2 August 2011}}</ref>


The streaming Genius shuffle is not available in current{{when|date=August 2019}} versions of ] but is available in iTunes on the Mac.
In addition to the free 5&nbsp;GB, MobileMe members (to be precise, those on "individual" memberships, or the ''master'' account user only, not the sub-accounts, for "family pack" memberships) were automatically given the extra 20&nbsp;GB tier, until the close of the MobileMe service on June 30, 2012.<ref name="pricing transition" group=iCloud pricing>{{cite news|last=Foresman|first=Chris|title=MobileMe users to get 25GB of storage in upcoming iCloud transition|url=http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2011/08/mobileme-users-to-get-25gb-of-storage-in-upcoming-icloud-transition.ars|accessdate=5 September 2011|newspaper=Ars Technica|date=8 August 2011}}</ref>


On January 28, 2016, ad-free iTunes Radio was discontinued and is therefore no longer part of iTunes Match.
==System requirements==
iCloud requires a device running ] (or later) or a ] running ] to create a new account;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apple.com/icloud/what-is.html |title=What is iCloud? (requirements on small print on bottom of page) |publisher=Apple Inc.}}</ref> synchronising with a PC requires ] (Service Pack 2) or ], iCloud control panel,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1455 |title=iCloud Control Panel for Windows |publisher=Support.apple.com |date=2011-10-12 |accessdate=2011-10-30}}</ref>, optionally ] 2007 or later to sync Calendar, Contacts and Reminders and optionally ] 8 or later or ] 5.1.1 or later to sync Bookmarks. Online access to iCloud requires a compatible ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apple.com/icloud/setup/pc.html |title=Learn how to setup iCloud on Windows |publisher=Apple |date=2011-10-12 |accessdate=2012-01-22}}</ref>.


{{As of|2014|3|26|df=US}}, iTunes Match is available in 116 countries, while ] is available in 155 countries.<ref name="iTunes Match availability">{{cite web|url=http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5085|title=iTunes in the Cloud and iTunes Match Availability.|publisher=]|date=August 14, 2013|access-date=August 23, 2013|archive-date=October 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029095506/http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5085|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Technology==
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===iWork for iCloud===
<!-- ADD YOUR DISPUTE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST BELOW. -->
{{main|iWork}}
During the 2013 ] (WWDC) keynote speech, ] for iCloud was announced for release at the same time as the next version of the app versions of iWork later in the year. The three apps for both iOS and macOS that form Apple's iWork suite (], ], and ]), will be made available on a web interface (named as Pages for iCloud, Numbers for iCloud, and Keynote for iCloud respectively), and accessed via the iCloud website under each user's iCloud Apple ID login. They will also sync with the user's iOS and macOS versions of the app, should they have them, again via their iCloud ].


This allows the user to edit and create documents on the web, using one of the supported browsers: ], ], and ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.apple.com/iwork/|title=IWork|access-date=June 14, 2021|archive-date=August 14, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070814024014/http://www.apple.com/iwork/|url-status=live}}</ref> It also means that ] users now have access to these native&nbsp;–previously only Apple device– document editing tools, via the ].
There are an engineer find that iCloud is using Windows Azure Services Platform and Amazon AWS technology. When the user uploads data to the iCloud program, the program will transfer data to a Microsoft server for computing, and then send data to Amazon server for storage.<ref>{{http://www.redmondpie.com/guess-what-icloud-uses-windows-azure-services-for-hosting-data}}</ref> The connect point the engineer find:


===Photo Stream===
Host: mssat000001.blob.core.windows.net:443,HTTP/1.1 201 Created
Photo Stream was a service supplied with the basic iCloud service which allows users to store the most recent 1,000 photos on the iCloud servers for up to 30 days free of charge. When a photo is taken on a device with Photo Stream enabled, it automatically uploaded to iCloud servers. From there, it become available for viewing and saving on the rest of the user's Photo Stream-enabled devices. The photo was automatically removed from the server after 30 days or when it becomes photo number 1,001 in the user's stream. Photo Stream installed on a ] or ] desktop computer includes an option to have all photos permanently saved on that device. The service also integrated with ], allowing users to view their recent photos wirelessly on their ].<ref name="IT PS 1">{{cite web|url=http://blog.infotrends.com/?p=4366#more-4366|title=Apple's iCloud Connects People and their Photos|publisher=InfoTrends InfoBlog|date=June 8, 2011|access-date=August 30, 2011|archive-date=December 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213081921/http://blog.infotrends.com/?p=4366#more-4366|url-status=dead}}</ref> In May 2023, Apple announced the discontinuation of Photo Stream, with uploads turned off on June 26, and the service turned off on July 26.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Porter |first1=Jon |title=Apple's original cloud photo sync service shuts down this summer |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/30/23741976/apple-my-photo-stream-discontinued-july-2023 |website=The Verge |access-date=4 June 2023 |date=30 May 2023}}</ref>
Content-MD5: Last-Modified:

ETag: Server: Windows-Azure-Blob/1.0 Microsoft-HTTPAPI/2.0
===iCloud Photos===
x-ms-request-id: x-ms-version: 2009-09-19
iCloud Photos is a feature on ] or later and ] (version 10.10) or later, plus web app access. The service stores all of the user's photos, maintaining their original resolution and metadata. Users can access their iCloud Photos on supported devices via the new Photos app when available or via the iCloud Photos web app at iCloud.com, which helps limit the amount of local storage each device needs to use to store photos (particularly those with smaller storage capacities) by storing lower-resolution versions on the device, with the user having the option to keep some/all stored locally at a higher resolution.
Date: Connection: close

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===Storage===
{{see also|Apple ID}}
Since its introduction in 2011, each account has 5 ] of free storage for owners of either an ] using ] or later, or a ] using ] or later. Users can pay monthly for additional storage for a total of 50 GB, 200 ] or 2 ]. Starting in September 2023, storage options for 6 ] and 12 ] have been added.<ref name="iCloud+ adds a 6TB and 12TB storage plan" /> The amount of storage is shared across all devices per iCloud ].<ref name="iCloud Storage Pricing">{{cite web|url=http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201238|title=iCloud Storage Pricing|publisher=]|access-date=December 15, 2015|archive-date=January 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203235/https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201238|url-status=live}}</ref>

Several native features of iCloud use each user's iCloud storage allowance, specifically, Backup and restore, and email, Contacts, and Calendars. On Macs, users can also store most filetypes into iCloud folders of their choosing, rather than only storing them locally on the machine. While ] uses the iCloud servers, usage does not come out of the user's iCloud storage allowance. This is also true for ] music content, even for music that is not sold in the iTunes Store and which gets uploaded into iCloud storage, it does not count against the user's allowance. Other apps can optionally integrate app storage out of the user's iCloud storage allowance.

Not all of a user's content counts as part of their iCloud storage allowance. Apple can keep a permanent track of every purchase a user makes under their Apple ID account, and by associating each piece of content with the user, it means only one copy of every Store item is needed to be kept on Apple's servers. For items bought from the ] (music, music videos, movies, TV shows), ] Store (books), or ] (iOS apps), this uses a service Apple called ], allowing the user to automatically, or manually if preferred, re-download any of their previous purchases on to a Mac, PC, or iOS device.<ref name="iTunes Match availability"/> Downloaded (or streamed, provided the user is connected to the Internet) iTunes Store content can be used across all these devices, however, while Apple Books Store and App Store content can be downloaded to Macs and PCs for syncing to iOS devices, only ] and Mac devices (and their respective apps) can be used to read the books.<ref name="iBooks iOS and Mac">{{cite web|url=https://www.apple.com/ibooks/|title=Apple - Buy and read books on your Mac or iOS device with iBooks.|access-date=July 21, 2014|archive-date=January 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203739/https://www.apple.com/apple-books/|url-status=live}}</ref> Similarly, macOS apps purchased from the Mac App Store are also linked to the ] they were purchased through and can be downloaded to any Mac using the same Apple ID. Also, when a user registers any new device, all previously bought Store content can be downloaded from the Store servers or non-Store content from the iCloud servers.<ref name="Apple open iCloud">{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/06/06/icloud|title=Apple opens iCloud to world+dog|website=]|first=Rik|last=Myslewski|date=June 6, 2011|access-date=August 30, 2011|archive-date=January 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203746/https://www.theregister.com/2011/06/06/icloud|url-status=live}}</ref>

Audiobooks and their metadata fields from non-Apple purchased sources are not synced across devices (macOS or iOS) inside the Apple Books apps, and nor does the metadata from non-Apple purchased books (in Ebook or PDF format). There remains a syncing mismatch on some types of media, between Apple-purchased content and non-Apple purchased content that remains in effect for iCloud users.

===iCloud Drive===
iCloud Drive is iCloud's ], that syncs files across devices running ], ] (version 10.10), or ] or later, plus online ] access via iCloud.com. Users can store any kind of file (including photos, videos, documents, music, and other apps' data) in iCloud Drive and access it on any ], ], ], ], or ], with any single file being a maximum of 50&nbsp;GB in file size (earlier it was 15&nbsp;GB). This allows users to start their work on one device and continue on another device.<ref name="Apple iCD info 1">{{cite web|url=https://www.apple.com/ios/ios8/icloud-drive|title=Apple - iOS 8 - iCloud Drive|publisher=]|date=June 2, 2014|access-date=June 15, 2014|archive-date=September 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908013045/https://www.apple.com/ios/ios8/icloud-drive/|url-status=live}}</ref> By default, users still get 5&nbsp;] of storage for free as previously, but the expandable storage plans available have increased in size (current tiers: 50&nbsp;GB, 200&nbsp;GB, and 2&nbsp;TB), and altered to monthly subscription payment options from the yearly ones offered under the previous MobileMe service.

In ], iCloud Drive has been integrated into the new ] app that gives users access to all their cloud and local on-device storage, which replaced the standalone iCloud Drive app.<ref name="imore files app 1">{{cite news|url=https://www.imore.com/files-app|title=iOS 11's Files app FAQ: Everything you need to know!|work=iMore|access-date=June 26, 2017|archive-date=June 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625153720/https://www.imore.com/files-app|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="imore icloud files app 2">{{cite news|url=https://www.imore.com/icloud-ios-11|title=iCloud in iOS 11 FAQ: Everything you need to know!|work=iMore|access-date=June 26, 2017|archive-date=June 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607230936/https://www.imore.com/icloud-ios-11|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to computer scientist Malcolm Hall, certain file types are automatically excluded from iCloud Drive and will not be uploaded. These exclusions include Aperture and Photos libraries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Malcolm |date=August 21, 2017 |title=How to exclude a sub folder from iCloud drive in macOS Sierra? |url=https://apple.stackexchange.com/a/295929 |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=Ask Different |language=en}}</ref> Users can also manually exclude files or folders by appending {{Mono|.nosync}} to the end of their filenames.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Furno |first=Nicolas |date=November 5, 2018 |title=Astuce : empêcher un fichier ou un dossier de synchroniser avec iCloud |url=https://www.macg.co/os-x/2018/11/astuce-empecher-un-fichier-ou-un-dossier-de-synchroniser-avec-icloud-104184 |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=MacGeneration |language=fr}}</ref>

===Messages on iCloud===
Messages on iCloud is a feature on iOS 11.4 and macOS High Sierra 10.13.5 which keeps all of a user's iMessages and SMS texts stored in the cloud.<ref>{{Cite web|title=iCloud|url=https://www.apple.com/in/icloud/|access-date=June 26, 2021|website=Apple (India)|language=en-IN|archive-date=January 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203739/https://www.apple.com/in/icloud/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Private Relay ===
Private Relay, an iCloud+ feature, allows users to browse Safari privately, similar to a ].<ref name="apple.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-15-preview/features/|title=IOS 15 - Features|access-date=June 14, 2021|archive-date=June 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611044959/https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-15-preview/features/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Apple, "regulatory reasons" prevent the company from launching Private Relay in China, Belarus, Russia, Colombia, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkmenistan, Uganda, and the Philippines.<ref>{{Cite web|title=iCloud+ Private Relay explained: Don't call it a VPN|url=https://www.macworld.com/article/348965/icloud-plus-private-relay-safari-vpn-ip-address-encryption-privacy.html|access-date=June 26, 2021|website=Macworld|language=en-US|archive-date=December 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217120426/https://www.macworld.com/article/348965/icloud-plus-private-relay-safari-vpn-ip-address-encryption-privacy.html|url-status=live}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|title=Apple Seemingly Adds Russia to List of Countries Where iCloud Private Relay Won't Be Available|url=https://www.macrumors.com/2021/09/17/icloud-private-relay-disabled-russia/|website=Macworld|date=September 17, 2021 |language=en-US|access-date=January 31, 2022|archive-date=January 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203740/https://www.macrumors.com/2021/09/17/icloud-private-relay-disabled-russia/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Up to 5% of Misplaced Pages editors globally could be negatively affected by using Private Relay, because Misplaced Pages blocks ranges of IP addresses to combat page vandalism. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Apple iCloud Private Relay - Meta |url=https://meta.wikimedia.org/Apple_iCloud_Private_Relay |access-date=February 26, 2022 |website=meta.wikimedia.org |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203740/https://meta.wikimedia.org/Apple_iCloud_Private_Relay |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Hide My Email ===
Hide My Email is available to iCloud+ users and allows users in Mail and Safari to generate temporary Apple email addresses which forward messages to their main email address.<ref name="apple.com"/>

=== Custom Email Domain ===
Custom Email Domain, an iCloud+ feature, allows users to personalize their email address with a custom domain name and invite family members to use the same domain with their iCloud Mail accounts.<ref name="apple.com"/>

== Security ==
In 2013, as part of the ], ''The Washington Post'' and ''The Guardian'' reported on leaked NSA documents which showed that iCloud was part of the ]'s PRISM surveillance program, along with other cloud services. According to the documents, the NSA could access emails, chats, photos and videos, and stored files. The documents specifically stated that the data was collected through "equipment installed at company-controlled locations".<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last1=Gellman |first1=Barton |last2=Poitras |first2=Laura |date=June 7, 2013 |title=U.S., British intelligence mining data from nine U.S. Internet companies in broad secret program |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/us-intelligence-mining-data-from-nine-us-internet-companies-in-broad-secret-program/2013/06/06/3a0c0da8-cebf-11e2-8845-d970ccb04497_story.html |access-date=October 26, 2022 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=June 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623010047/http://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/us-intelligence-mining-data-from-nine-us-internet-companies-in-broad-secret-program/2013/06/06/3a0c0da8-cebf-11e2-8845-d970ccb04497_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author-first1=Glenn|author-last1=Greenwald|author-first2=Ewen|author-last2=MacAskill|date=June 7, 2013 |title=NSA Prism program taps in to user data of Apple, Google and others |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/06/us-tech-giants-nsa-data |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=July 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731050902/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/06/us-tech-giants-nsa-data |url-status=live }}</ref> ''The Washington Post'' further stated that Apple, like the other companies, was aware of the program and was a willing participant. Apple denied having ever heard of the program.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Seifert |first=Dan |date=June 6, 2013 |title=Secret program gives NSA, FBI backdoor access to Apple, Google, Facebook, Microsoft data |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/6/6/4403868/nsa-fbi-mine-data-apple-google-facebook-microsoft-others-prism |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=The Verge |language=en-US |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203743/https://www.theverge.com/2013/6/6/4403868/nsa-fbi-mine-data-apple-google-facebook-microsoft-others-prism |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2014, some celebrities' nude photos ]; these photos had been synced to iCloud by the celebrities' iPhones.<ref name="verge-icloudhack">{{cite web |author-first1=Rich|author-last1=McCormick|date=August 31, 2014 |title=Reported iCloud hack leaks hundreds of nude celebrity photos |url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/9/1/6092089/nude-celebrity-hack |access-date=September 2, 2014 |website=The Verge |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203741/https://www.theverge.com/2014/9/1/6092089/nude-celebrity-hack |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="verge-celebgate">{{cite web |date=September 1, 2014|author-first1=Dan|author-last1=Seifert|title=Apple 'actively investigating' and FBI 'addressing' alleged hack that revealed nude celebrity photos |url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/9/1/6094423/apple-actively-investigating-alleged-hack-nude-celebrity-jennifer-lawrence |access-date=September 2, 2014 |website=The Verge |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203741/https://www.theverge.com/2014/9/1/6094423/apple-actively-investigating-alleged-hack-nude-celebrity-jennifer-lawrence |url-status=live }}</ref> Apple denied that the hack was caused by a security flaw in iCloud, and said that the leaks were the result of ], a targeted attack in which the celebrities were tricked by hackers into revealing their account passwords.<ref name="verge-iclouddenied">{{cite web |date=September 2, 2014 |title=Apple denies iCloud breach in celebrity nude photo hack |url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/9/2/6098107/apple-denies-icloud-breach-celebrity-nude-photo-hack |access-date=September 2, 2014 |website=The Verge|author-first1=Jacob|author-last1=Kastrenakes}}</ref><ref name="charlierose-phishing">{{cite web |title=Tim Cook talks iCloud phishing hack |url=http://macdailynews.com/2014/09/13/tim-cook-talks-icloud-phishing-iphone-6-and-more-with-charlie-rose/ |access-date=September 2, 2014 |website=MacDailyNews |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117204244/https://macdailynews.com/2014/09/13/tim-cook-talks-icloud-phishing-iphone-6-and-more-with-charlie-rose/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== End-to-end encryption ===
Some iCloud data is end-to-end encrypted by default. As of January 2022, these include: Apple Card transactions, Health data, Home data, iCloud Keychain, Apple Maps favorites, collections, and search history, Memoji, Messages in iCloud, vocabulary learned by the QuickType keyboard, Safari history, tab groups, and iCloud tabs, Screen Time, Siri information, Wi-Fi passwords, and W1 and H1 Bluetooth keys.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=iCloud security overview |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202303 |access-date=October 26, 2022 |website=Apple Support |language=en |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117203345/https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202303 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, if iCloud Backup is enabled, the encryption key for Messages in iCloud is part of the backup, allowing Apple to access users' entire iMessage history if served with a search warrant.<ref name=":1" />

==== Advanced Data Protection ====
On December 7, 2022, Apple announced Advanced Data Protection for iCloud, an option to enable end-to-end encryption for almost all iCloud data including Backups, Notes, Photos, and more. The only data classes that are ineligible for Advanced Data Protection are Mail, Contacts, and Calendars, in order to preserve the ability to sync third-party clients with ], ] or ].<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=December 7, 2022 |title=Apple is adding end-to-end encryption to iCloud backups |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/12/7/23498580/apple-end-to-end-encryption-icloud-backups-advanced-data-protection |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117204244/https://www.theverge.com/2022/12/7/23498580/apple-end-to-end-encryption-icloud-backups-advanced-data-protection |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |access-date=December 7, 2022 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sabin |first=Sam |date=December 7, 2022 |title=Apple will start encrypting users' iCloud backups as part of new security offerings |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/12/07/apple-encryption-icloud-backups |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117204245/https://www.axios.com/2022/12/07/apple-encryption-icloud-backups |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |access-date=December 7, 2022 |website=Axios |language=en}}</ref>

The feature became available to U.S. customers on December 13 with the release of iOS/iPadOS 16.2 and macOS 13.1, and was expanded to the rest of the world on January 23, 2023, with iOS/iPadOS 16.3 and macOS 13.2. Users must upgrade to these versions to be able to enable the feature.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Fleishman |first=Glenn |date=December 28, 2022 |title=Advanced Data Protection for iCloud: How to lock and encrypt your personal data |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/1439693/how-to-enable-manage-advanced-data-protection-icloud-data.html |access-date=January 23, 2023 |website=Macworld |language=en}}</ref>

Apple prevents users from enabling Advanced Data Protection from a device that was recently added to their iCloud account, in order to prevent hackers from locking users out of their files by enabling encryption.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Expanded iCloud Encryption Can't Be Enabled From New Apple Devices Right Away |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2022/12/09/advanced-data-protection-time-limit-new-devices/ |access-date=January 23, 2023 |website=MacRumors |date=December 9, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

== Privacy ==
Apple started scanning images sent via ] for ] in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Apple Has Reportedly Been Scanning Your iCloud Mail for Child Abuse Images Since 2019 |url=https://gizmodo.com/apple-has-reportedly-been-scanning-your-icloud-mail-for-1847538826 |access-date=September 3, 2021 |website=Gizmodo |date=August 23, 2021 |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117204245/https://gizmodo.com/apple-has-reportedly-been-scanning-your-icloud-mail-for-1847538826 |url-status=live }}</ref> On August 5, 2021, Apple confirmed it had planned to start scanning ] for the same reason.<ref>{{cite web |title=Apple confirms it will begin scanning iCloud Photos for child abuse images |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/08/05/apple-icloud-photos-scanning/ |access-date=September 3, 2021 |website=TechChrunch |date=August 5, 2021 |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117204249/https://techcrunch.com/2021/08/05/apple-icloud-photos-scanning/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, after receiving a public backlash against scanning unencrypted unuploaded photos, Apple backed down from its plans to scan iCloud Photos, and canceled them altogether in December 2022.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Newman |first=Lily Hay |title=Apple Kills Its Plan to Scan Your Photos for CSAM. Here's What's Next |language=en-US |magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/story/apple-photo-scanning-csam-communication-safety-messages/ |access-date=January 15, 2023 |issn=1059-1028 |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117204253/https://www.wired.com/story/apple-photo-scanning-csam-communication-safety-messages/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===China===
In February 2018, Apple announced that iCloud users in China would have their data, including encryption data, on servers called "Cloud Guizhou" (in Chinese "云上贵州") located in the country to comply with local regulations. This raised concerns from human rights activists who claim that it may be used to track ]s.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 26, 2018 |title=Apple moves to store iCloud keys in China, raising human rights fears |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-apple-icloud-insight/apple-moves-to-store-icloud-keys-in-china-raising-human-rights-fears-idUSKCN1G8060 |access-date=December 14, 2018 |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117204246/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-apple-icloud-insight/apple-moves-to-store-icloud-keys-in-china-raising-human-rights-fears-idUSKCN1G8060 |url-status=live }}</ref> In response, CEO Tim Cook stated that Apple encryption was "the same in every country in the world," including China.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hamilton |first1=Isobel Asher |date=October 3, 2018 |title=Tim Cook took a subtle swipe at Google over how Apple does business in China |language=en |work=Business Insider |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/tim-cook-apple-encrypts-data-in-china-2018-10?r=US&IR=T |access-date=December 14, 2018 |archive-date=May 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520035835/https://www.businessinsider.com.au/tim-cook-apple-encrypts-data-in-china-2018-10?r=US&IR=T |url-status=live }}</ref>


On June 7, 2021, during the WWDC event, Apple announced that iCloud's new 'private relay' feature would not work in China for regulatory reasons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Summerbell |first=D. |title=Apple Will Not Launch iCloud Privacy Feature in China |url=https://www.wavband.com/apple-will-not-launch-icloud-privacy-feature-in-china/ |access-date=June 8, 2021 |website=WavBand Tech |language=en-US |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117204254/https://www.wavband.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Name dispute==
iCloud Communications, a telecommunications company in ], sued Apple for ] shortly after Apple announced iCloud.<ref name=autogenerated3>{{cite web|url=http://www.scribd.com/doc/57544701/iCloud-Complaint |title=iCloud Complaint |publisher=Scribd |date= |accessdate=2011-08-30}}</ref><ref name="ibtimes0613">{{cite web|url=http://hken.ibtimes.com/articles/161459/20110613/apple-icloud-sued-infringement-trademark-history.htm |title=Apple's iCloud Sued for Trademark Infringement – Lessons from its Predecessors |publisher=International Business Times |date=2011-06-13 |accessdate=2011-08-30}}</ref> The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court of Arizona and demanded that Apple stop using the iCloud name and pay unspecified monetary damages.<ref name="ibtimes0613" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hken.ibtimes.com/articles/161457/20110612/apple-iphone-5-s-potential-ace-icloud-accused-of-infringing-on-trademark-icloud-communications-sued.htm |title=Apple iPhone 5's Potential Ace iCloud Accused Of Infringing On Trademark |publisher=International Business Times |date=2011-06-13 |accessdate=2011-08-30}}</ref> iCloud Communications changed its name to Clear Digital Communications in August 2011 and dropped its lawsuit against Apple shortly thereafter.<ref name="dropped"></ref>


==See also== ==See also==
* ]
* ]
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* ]
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* ]


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
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{{Reflist}}
===iCloud storage pricing===
<references group="storage pricing"/>
===iTunes Match pricing===
<references group="match pricing"/>


==External links== ==External links==
*{{Official website|www.apple.com/icloud}}


* information at ]
{{Apple}}
* app on the ] (now merged into ])

{{Apple Inc.}}
{{Apple software}} {{Apple software}}
{{File hosting service}}
{{Major Internet companies}}


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Latest revision as of 05:08, 23 January 2025

Cloud storage and cloud computing service by Apple

iCloud
[REDACTED]

The iCloud.com web interface
TypeCloud service
Launch dateOctober 12, 2011; 13 years ago (2011-10-12)
StatusActive
Pricing modelFree; optional subscription for more storage
Websiteicloud.com

iCloud is a cloud service operated by Apple Inc. Launched on October 12, 2011, iCloud enables users to store and sync data across devices, including Apple Mail, Apple Calendar, Apple Photos, Apple Notes, contacts, settings, backups, and files, to collaborate with other users, and track assets through Find My. It is built into iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, macOS, and visionOS. iCloud may additionally be accessed through a limited web interface and Windows application.

iCloud offers users 5 GB of free storage which may be upgraded through optional paid plans to up to 12 TB; all paid plans include iCloud+ providing additional features. Optional end-to-end encryption has been available since 2022 for all iCloud data, except Calendar, Contacts, and Mail, which rely on legacy sync technologies for compatibility with third-party apps (CalDAV, CardDAV, IMAP). As of 2018, the service had an estimated 850 million users, up from 782 million users in 2016.

History

iCloud was announced on May 31, 2011, in a press release. On June 6, 2011, during the WWDC 2011 keynote, Steve Jobs announced that iCloud would replace MobileMe, which had been widely seen as a "failure", a fact which Steve Jobs acknowledged during the announcement. iCloud was released on October 12, 2011, and MobileMe was discontinued on June 30, 2012. Previous MobileMe users could keep their @mac.com and @me.com email addresses as aliases to their new @icloud.com address. Earlier versions included Back to My Mac, which was previously part of MobileMe. This service allowed users to create point-to-point connections between computers. It was discontinued on July 1, 2019.

iCloud had 20 million users within a week after launch. It received early criticism for bugs, especially with Core Data syncing. These issues were addressed in iOS 7 and OS X Mavericks.

At launch, iCloud was partly hosted on Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure. In 2016, Apple replaced Azure with Google Cloud Platform. In 2021, The Information reported that Apple was storing 8 million TB of data on Google's cloud, and was on track to spend $300 million that year. Apple also operates its own data centers, including one in Maiden, North Carolina.

In June 2019, iCloud was introduced to Windows 10 via the Microsoft Store.

In June 2021, Apple introduced iCloud+, which added Private Relay, Hide My Email and Custom Email Domain to paid users of the services, as well as an unlimited storage limit for video from cameras added through HomeKit Secure Video.

In March 2022, Apple settled a class-action lawsuit alleging that it had misled users by storing data on non-Apple servers.

Features

iCloud is a free service, and comes with 5 GB of cloud storage. Users can subscribe to iCloud+ for additional storage up to 2 TB (or 4 TB for users of Apple One Premier plan who also buy an additional 2 TB of storage).

Some of iCloud's features are accessible not only through apps built into iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS and macOS but also on iCloud.com. These include:

  • iCloud Mail, a free email address (@icloud.com) which supports Push email, a webmail interface, and IMAP sync to third-party clients;
  • Contacts and calendar syncing, and calendar sharing features, as well as support for CardDAV and CalDAV;
  • iCloud Drive, a cloud storage and syncing feature;
  • iCloud Photos, which stores and syncs pictures in full-resolution;
  • Pages, Keynote, and Numbers, allowing real-time collaboration on both native apps and the web;
  • Notes and Reminders sync, and the ability to edit and create notes and reminders on the web;
  • Find My, which lets users find their Apple devices or other Find My-enabled devices, and remotely erase lost Apple devices;

iCloud is also built-in as a backend to many Apple apps and system features, where it can sync users' data and settings. This includes:

  • Apple Books (books, highlights, bookmarks and annotations);
  • Apple Home (settings and paired devices);
  • Apple Music (with a feature called iCloud Music Library);
  • Apple Wallet (passes and credit cards);
  • Phone (call history);
  • Safari (syncing bookmarks and history);
  • Siri (settings, and past interactions with Siri and Dictation)

Third-party iOS and macOS app developers can implement iCloud functionality in their apps through the iCloud API.

Backup and restore

iCloud allows users to back up the settings and data on iOS devices running iOS 5 or later. Data backed up includes photos and videos in the Camera Roll, device settings, app data, messages (iMessage, SMS, and MMS), ringtones, and Visual Voicemails. Backups occur daily when the device is locked and connected to Wi-Fi and a power source. In case of a malfunction of any Apple device, during the restoration process, iCloud offers to restore all data along with App data only if the device was synced to iCloud and backed up.

Find My

Main article: Find My

Prior to iOS and iPadOS 13, Find my iPhone and Find My Friends stored data in iCloud before merging into Find My.

Find My enables users to track the location of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS devices, AirPods, AirTags and a number of supported third-party accessories through a connected iCloud account. A user can see the device's approximate location on a map (along with a circle depicting the margin of error), display a message and/or play a sound on the device (even if it is set to silent), and remotely erase its contents. Users can also share their GPS locations to others with Apple devices and view the location of others who choose to share their location.

The Send Last Location feature, which utilizes iCloud, can be optionally enabled to automatically send the location of the device to Apple when the battery is low.

iCloud Keychain

See also: Keychain (software)

iCloud Keychain is a password manager developed by Apple that syncs passwords across devices and suggests secure ones when creating new accounts. It is integrated into Safari, and is accessible from other applications on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS. It was announced at WWDC 2013, and released in October 2013 alongside iOS 7.0.3.

iCloud Keychain backups provide different security guarantees than traditional iCloud backups. This is because iCloud Keychain uses "end-to-end encryption", meaning that iCloud Keychain backups are designed so that the provider does not have access to unencrypted data. This is accomplished through the use of a novel "key vault" design based on a Hardware Security Module located in Apple's data centers.

In iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, iCloud Keychain was migrated from a page in the settings app to a standalone app, Passwords. The Passwords app continues to sync with iCloud Keychain and the Keychain application.

iTunes Match

For other uses, see ITunes (disambiguation).

iTunes Match debuted on November 14, 2011. It was initially available to US users only. For an annual fee, customers can scan and match tracks in their iTunes music library, including tracks copied from CDs or other sources, with tracks in the iTunes Store, so customers do not have to repurchase said tracks. Customers may download up to 100,000 tracks in 256 kbit/s DRM-free AAC file format that matches tracks in any supported audio file formats in customers' iTunes libraries, including ALAC and MP3. Customers also have the choice to keep their original copies stored on their computers or have them replaced by copies from the iTunes Store. Any music not available in the iTunes Store is uploaded for download onto customers' other supported devices and computers; doing this will not take storage from the customers' iCloud's storage allowance. Any such tracks stored in the higher quality lossless audio ALAC, or original uncompressed PCM formats, WAV and AIFF, are transcoded to 256 kbit/s DRM-free AAC format before uploading to the customers' iCloud storage account, leaving the original higher quality local files in their original format.

If a user stops paying for the iTunes Match service, all copies of the DRM-free AAC iTunes Store versions of tracks that have already been downloaded onto any device can be kept, whether on iOS devices or computers.

From iOS 7 and OS X Mavericks, the iTunes Radio function will be available across devices, including integration with the Music app, both on portable iOS devices and Apple TV (2nd generation onwards), as well as inside the iTunes app on Macintosh and Windows computers. It will be included in an ad-free version for subscribers to the iTunes Match service and is currently available only in the US and Australia

The streaming Genius shuffle is not available in current versions of iOS but is available in iTunes on the Mac.

On January 28, 2016, ad-free iTunes Radio was discontinued and is therefore no longer part of iTunes Match.

As of March 26, 2014, iTunes Match is available in 116 countries, while iTunes in the Cloud is available in 155 countries.

iWork for iCloud

Main article: iWork

During the 2013 Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) keynote speech, iWork for iCloud was announced for release at the same time as the next version of the app versions of iWork later in the year. The three apps for both iOS and macOS that form Apple's iWork suite (Pages, Numbers, and Keynote), will be made available on a web interface (named as Pages for iCloud, Numbers for iCloud, and Keynote for iCloud respectively), and accessed via the iCloud website under each user's iCloud Apple ID login. They will also sync with the user's iOS and macOS versions of the app, should they have them, again via their iCloud Apple ID.

This allows the user to edit and create documents on the web, using one of the supported browsers: Safari, Chrome, and Microsoft Edge. It also means that Microsoft Windows users now have access to these native –previously only Apple device– document editing tools, via the web interface.

Photo Stream

Photo Stream was a service supplied with the basic iCloud service which allows users to store the most recent 1,000 photos on the iCloud servers for up to 30 days free of charge. When a photo is taken on a device with Photo Stream enabled, it automatically uploaded to iCloud servers. From there, it become available for viewing and saving on the rest of the user's Photo Stream-enabled devices. The photo was automatically removed from the server after 30 days or when it becomes photo number 1,001 in the user's stream. Photo Stream installed on a Mac or Windows desktop computer includes an option to have all photos permanently saved on that device. The service also integrated with Apple TV, allowing users to view their recent photos wirelessly on their HDTV. In May 2023, Apple announced the discontinuation of Photo Stream, with uploads turned off on June 26, and the service turned off on July 26.

iCloud Photos

iCloud Photos is a feature on iOS 8.1 or later and OS X Yosemite (version 10.10) or later, plus web app access. The service stores all of the user's photos, maintaining their original resolution and metadata. Users can access their iCloud Photos on supported devices via the new Photos app when available or via the iCloud Photos web app at iCloud.com, which helps limit the amount of local storage each device needs to use to store photos (particularly those with smaller storage capacities) by storing lower-resolution versions on the device, with the user having the option to keep some/all stored locally at a higher resolution.

Storage

See also: Apple ID

Since its introduction in 2011, each account has 5 GB of free storage for owners of either an iOS device using iOS 5.x or later, or a Mac using OS X Lion 10.7 or later. Users can pay monthly for additional storage for a total of 50 GB, 200 GB or 2 TB. Starting in September 2023, storage options for 6 TB and 12 TB have been added. The amount of storage is shared across all devices per iCloud Apple ID.

Several native features of iCloud use each user's iCloud storage allowance, specifically, Backup and restore, and email, Contacts, and Calendars. On Macs, users can also store most filetypes into iCloud folders of their choosing, rather than only storing them locally on the machine. While Photo Stream uses the iCloud servers, usage does not come out of the user's iCloud storage allowance. This is also true for iTunes Match music content, even for music that is not sold in the iTunes Store and which gets uploaded into iCloud storage, it does not count against the user's allowance. Other apps can optionally integrate app storage out of the user's iCloud storage allowance.

Not all of a user's content counts as part of their iCloud storage allowance. Apple can keep a permanent track of every purchase a user makes under their Apple ID account, and by associating each piece of content with the user, it means only one copy of every Store item is needed to be kept on Apple's servers. For items bought from the iTunes Store (music, music videos, movies, TV shows), Apple Books Store (books), or App Store (iOS apps), this uses a service Apple called iTunes in the Cloud, allowing the user to automatically, or manually if preferred, re-download any of their previous purchases on to a Mac, PC, or iOS device. Downloaded (or streamed, provided the user is connected to the Internet) iTunes Store content can be used across all these devices, however, while Apple Books Store and App Store content can be downloaded to Macs and PCs for syncing to iOS devices, only iOS and Mac devices (and their respective apps) can be used to read the books. Similarly, macOS apps purchased from the Mac App Store are also linked to the Apple ID they were purchased through and can be downloaded to any Mac using the same Apple ID. Also, when a user registers any new device, all previously bought Store content can be downloaded from the Store servers or non-Store content from the iCloud servers.

Audiobooks and their metadata fields from non-Apple purchased sources are not synced across devices (macOS or iOS) inside the Apple Books apps, and nor does the metadata from non-Apple purchased books (in Ebook or PDF format). There remains a syncing mismatch on some types of media, between Apple-purchased content and non-Apple purchased content that remains in effect for iCloud users.

iCloud Drive

iCloud Drive is iCloud's file hosting service, that syncs files across devices running iOS 8, OS X Yosemite (version 10.10), or Windows 7 or later, plus online web app access via iCloud.com. Users can store any kind of file (including photos, videos, documents, music, and other apps' data) in iCloud Drive and access it on any Mac, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, or Windows PC, with any single file being a maximum of 50 GB in file size (earlier it was 15 GB). This allows users to start their work on one device and continue on another device. By default, users still get 5 GB of storage for free as previously, but the expandable storage plans available have increased in size (current tiers: 50 GB, 200 GB, and 2 TB), and altered to monthly subscription payment options from the yearly ones offered under the previous MobileMe service.

In iOS 11, iCloud Drive has been integrated into the new Files app that gives users access to all their cloud and local on-device storage, which replaced the standalone iCloud Drive app.

According to computer scientist Malcolm Hall, certain file types are automatically excluded from iCloud Drive and will not be uploaded. These exclusions include Aperture and Photos libraries. Users can also manually exclude files or folders by appending .nosync to the end of their filenames.

Messages on iCloud

Messages on iCloud is a feature on iOS 11.4 and macOS High Sierra 10.13.5 which keeps all of a user's iMessages and SMS texts stored in the cloud.

Private Relay

Private Relay, an iCloud+ feature, allows users to browse Safari privately, similar to a virtual private network. According to Apple, "regulatory reasons" prevent the company from launching Private Relay in China, Belarus, Russia, Colombia, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkmenistan, Uganda, and the Philippines.

Up to 5% of Misplaced Pages editors globally could be negatively affected by using Private Relay, because Misplaced Pages blocks ranges of IP addresses to combat page vandalism.

Hide My Email

Hide My Email is available to iCloud+ users and allows users in Mail and Safari to generate temporary Apple email addresses which forward messages to their main email address.

Custom Email Domain

Custom Email Domain, an iCloud+ feature, allows users to personalize their email address with a custom domain name and invite family members to use the same domain with their iCloud Mail accounts.

Security

In 2013, as part of the Snowden revelations, The Washington Post and The Guardian reported on leaked NSA documents which showed that iCloud was part of the NSA's PRISM surveillance program, along with other cloud services. According to the documents, the NSA could access emails, chats, photos and videos, and stored files. The documents specifically stated that the data was collected through "equipment installed at company-controlled locations". The Washington Post further stated that Apple, like the other companies, was aware of the program and was a willing participant. Apple denied having ever heard of the program.

In 2014, some celebrities' nude photos were leaked; these photos had been synced to iCloud by the celebrities' iPhones. Apple denied that the hack was caused by a security flaw in iCloud, and said that the leaks were the result of phishing, a targeted attack in which the celebrities were tricked by hackers into revealing their account passwords.

End-to-end encryption

Some iCloud data is end-to-end encrypted by default. As of January 2022, these include: Apple Card transactions, Health data, Home data, iCloud Keychain, Apple Maps favorites, collections, and search history, Memoji, Messages in iCloud, vocabulary learned by the QuickType keyboard, Safari history, tab groups, and iCloud tabs, Screen Time, Siri information, Wi-Fi passwords, and W1 and H1 Bluetooth keys. However, if iCloud Backup is enabled, the encryption key for Messages in iCloud is part of the backup, allowing Apple to access users' entire iMessage history if served with a search warrant.

Advanced Data Protection

On December 7, 2022, Apple announced Advanced Data Protection for iCloud, an option to enable end-to-end encryption for almost all iCloud data including Backups, Notes, Photos, and more. The only data classes that are ineligible for Advanced Data Protection are Mail, Contacts, and Calendars, in order to preserve the ability to sync third-party clients with IMAP, CardDAV or CalDAV.

The feature became available to U.S. customers on December 13 with the release of iOS/iPadOS 16.2 and macOS 13.1, and was expanded to the rest of the world on January 23, 2023, with iOS/iPadOS 16.3 and macOS 13.2. Users must upgrade to these versions to be able to enable the feature.

Apple prevents users from enabling Advanced Data Protection from a device that was recently added to their iCloud account, in order to prevent hackers from locking users out of their files by enabling encryption.

Privacy

Apple started scanning images sent via iCloud Mail for child sexual abuse material in 2019. On August 5, 2021, Apple confirmed it had planned to start scanning iCloud Photos for the same reason. However, after receiving a public backlash against scanning unencrypted unuploaded photos, Apple backed down from its plans to scan iCloud Photos, and canceled them altogether in December 2022.

China

In February 2018, Apple announced that iCloud users in China would have their data, including encryption data, on servers called "Cloud Guizhou" (in Chinese "云上贵州") located in the country to comply with local regulations. This raised concerns from human rights activists who claim that it may be used to track dissidents. In response, CEO Tim Cook stated that Apple encryption was "the same in every country in the world," including China.

On June 7, 2021, during the WWDC event, Apple announced that iCloud's new 'private relay' feature would not work in China for regulatory reasons.

See also

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