iOS iCloud Private Relay User Guide

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Overview​

iCloud Private Relay is a privacy feature included with an iCloud+ subscription that enhances your web browsing security on Safari by hiding your IP address and encrypting your browsing activity. It is available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV running iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS Monterey, or later. This guide focuses on using iCloud Private Relay on iOS devices.

Note: iCloud Private Relay is not available in all countries or regions (e.g., China, Belarus, Colombia, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkmenistan, Uganda, and the Philippines). Check the iOS and iPadOS Feature Availability website for details.

Requirements​

• An iCloud+ subscription (starting at $0.99/month for 50GB of storage, up to $64.99/month for 12TB, shareable with Family Sharing).
• iPhone or iPad running iOS 15 or later.
• Safari as the default browser (Private Relay only works with Safari and limited app traffic, not other browsers like Chrome or Firefox).

How to Enable iCloud Private Relay on iOS​

Follow these steps to enable iCloud Private Relay on your iPhone or iPad:

1. Open Settings: Tap the Settings app on your iOS device.
2. Access Your Apple ID: Tap your name at the top of the Settings menu.
3. Go to iCloud: Tap iCloud, then tap Private Relay.
4. Enable Private Relay: Toggle the Private Relay switch to the On position (green).
5. Configure IP Address Location (optional):
   • Tap IP Address Location.
   • Choose one of the following:
     • Maintain General Location: Allows websites to provide local content (e.g., weather or news for your city). Recommended for most users.
     • Use Country and Time Zone: Provides greater anonymity by using a broader location, but may limit access to location-specific content.

Note: You must enable Private Relay on each device where you want to use it, even if they share the same Apple ID.

Managing iCloud Private Relay​

Turn Off Temporarily​

• To disable Private Relay for 24 hours (it will automatically reactivate):
  • Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Private Relay.
  • Tap Turn Off Until Tomorrow.
• To resume sooner, toggle Private Relay back on manually using the steps above.

Turn Off Completely​

• Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Private Relay.
• Tap Turn Off Private Relay and confirm.

Disable for a Specific Website​

Some websites may require your IP address (e.g., for sign-ins or region-specific content). To temporarily allow a website to see your IP address:

• Navigate to the website in Safari.
• Tap the Page Settings button (the "AA" icon in the address bar).
• Tap Show IP Address.

Disable for a Specific Wi-Fi Network​

If you turn off Limit IP Address Tracking for a Wi-Fi network, Private Relay will be disabled for that network across all devices signed in with the same Apple ID:

• Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
• Tap the Info (i) button next to the Wi-Fi network.
• Toggle Limit IP Address Tracking to Off.

Disable for Cellular Data​

For cellular connections:

• Go to Settings > Cellular.
• If you have a single line, tap Cellular Data Options. For multiple lines, select a line under SIMs.
• Toggle Limit IP Address Tracking to Off.

How iCloud Private Relay Works​

• Dual-Hop Architecture: Your web traffic is routed through two relays:
  • The first relay, operated by Apple, sees your IP address but encrypts the website you’re visiting.
  • The second relay, operated by a third-party partner (e.g., Cloudflare or Fastly), assigns a temporary IP address and does not see your real IP. This ensures no single party, including Apple, knows both your identity and browsing activity.
• Encryption: Encrypts Safari browsing activity, DNS queries, and some app traffic to prevent interception by ISPs or websites.
• IP Address Options: Temporary IP addresses are assigned based on your chosen location setting (general location or country/time zone). IPs are rotated periodically to reduce tracking.
• Protocols: Uses QUIC and Oblivious DNS over HTTPS (ODoH) for secure, efficient connections.

Limitations​

• Safari-Only: Only protects browsing in Safari and limited app traffic (e.g., DNS queries, some insecure HTTP traffic). Other browsers or apps (e.g., Chrome, TikTok) are not covered.
• Not a Full VPN: Unlike a VPN, it does not allow geo-spoofing to access region-locked content (e.g., Netflix in another country).
• Potential Compatibility Issues: Some websites using IP-based filtering (e.g., for CAPTCHAs or rate-limiting) may require you to disable Private Relay temporarily.
• Carrier Restrictions: Some cellular providers may block Private Relay to support features like parental controls. You’ll be notified if Private Relay is disabled by your carrier.
• Performance: May slightly reduce speed test results due to single-connection routing, but actual browsing remains fast.
• Regional Restrictions: Unavailable in certain countries due to regulatory limitations.

Troubleshooting​

• Website Access Issues: If a website doesn’t load or requires authentication, temporarily disable Private Relay for that site (see “Disable for a Specific Website” above).
• Slow Performance: If browsing feels slow, relaunch Safari or disable Private Relay temporarily. Some users report improved performance after restarting Safari.
• VPN Conflicts: Private Relay may conflict with VPNs. Disable Private Relay if using a VPN for specific tasks like geo-spoofing.
• Carrier or Network Blocks: If Private Relay is disabled by your network or carrier, you’ll see a notification in Settings. Switch to another network or contact your provider.

Tips for Best Use​

• Use Safari as your default browser to maximize Private Relay’s benefits.
• Choose Maintain General Location for better compatibility with location-based services like weather or news apps.
• Combine with other privacy tools (e.g., rejecting cookies or using AdGuard) for enhanced protection, as Private Relay does not block trackers like cookies.
• If you need to bypass geo-restrictions, use a traditional VPN instead of Private Relay.

Privacy Benefits​

• Hides IP Address: Prevents websites and ISPs from linking your IP to your browsing activity.
• Encrypts Traffic: Protects against man-in-the-middle attacks and ISP tracking.
• Reduces Fingerprinting: Makes it harder for websites to build a profile of you based on IP or DNS data.
• No Logging: Apple and third-party relays do not log your browsing activity, and no single party can see both your IP and the sites you visit.

Additional Resources​

• Apple Support: Protect Your Web Browsing with iCloud Private Relay on iPhone
• Apple Support: About iCloud Private Relay
• Apple Support: Set Up iCloud Private Relay on All Your Devices
• iOS and iPadOS Feature Availability for regional availability.