When we hear the word “iCloud”, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Storage? Cloud storage? You’re not wrong, but let’s break it down. iCloud securely stores your data—like photos, videos, and files—in Apple’s cloud-based storage. You can access this data anytime, anywhere, using your Apple devices. Additionally, it automatically backs up your files and data across your Apple Devices using your Apple Account. Meaning, it keeps your devices up to date and synchronized with one another. 

When you buy an Apple device such as an iPhone, iPad, or even a MacBook, iCloud is built into those devices, and it also comes with a free 5GB of storage. But what if there is more to that? Enter iCloud+. 

iCloud+ is a subscription service wherein you can upgrade your iCloud storage. It provides more storage and enhanced privacy features to secure your data and strengthen your digital protection.

 

 

More than just a storage

iCloud’s main functionality for Apple Users is to act as a storage device across your different Apple devices. From your iPhone all the way up to your MacBook, you can view the photos, videos, or even the files that have been stored in your iCloud. But if you want it to be more functional, that’s where iCloud+ comes in. 

It has different key features wherein you can treat your iCloud+ subscription to be more than just a storage. From having a personalized iCloud email to accessing your videos from your home security cameras. iCloud+ transforms your subscription into a multifunctional tool. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone, since you are upgrading your storage at the same time and benefitting from the iCloud+ features.

Let’s explore how iCloud+ features can truly be more than just a storage solution. 

 

Safeguard your email

Are you wondering how to protect your personal details, specifically your email address? Look no further. Hide My Email is an iCloud+ feature where you can generate random and unique email addresses that can receive your emails and forward it to your personal email address.

 

Ideal Application Scenario 

Hide My Email is perfect for situations where you need to share an email address but want to avoid exposing your personal one. For example:

 

• Signing up for newsletters or promotional offers.
• Registering on websites or apps you don’t fully trust.

 

Think of it as your "dummy email" for added security, ensuring your personal inbox stays private and protected.

 

Safe Browser, Safe Identity

Curious about how web browsing works and why privacy matters? Let’s break it down. Your ISP (Internet Service Provider) can track the websites you’ve visited. That’s why some websites are blocked depending on your ISP. 

But here’s the catch: the information gathered from your internet traffic can be used to identify you, build a profile of your location, and track your browsing history. If you want to safeguard your online activity and protect your IP address, Private Relay, an iCloud+ feature, is the perfect solution.

 

Private Relay works by routing your internet traffic through two distinct relays, with the first masking your IP address and the second encrypting your browsing data before it reaches its destination. This dual-layer process ensures that websites cannot track your identity, providing a more secure and private browsing experience without compromising speed or functionality. 

 

It’s important to note that this feature is exclusive to Apple devices and works only on Apple’s Safari browser.

 

Ideal Application Scenario

Private Relay works better when you are browsing using Public WiFi. The Apple service enhances your security and keeps you anonymous when you connect to public Wi-Fi. In today’s world, where technology is often exploited for malicious purposes, preventing potential threats is far better than dealing with their consequences. Private Relay offers peace of mind, ensuring your online activity stays private and secure.

 

Customize Email Domain

iCloud+ has another feature that will give you convenience in managing your accounts. Especially, managing your email addresses and some of us have different email accounts for work, personal, or business. The usual email that you’ll use for iCloud is your preferred username plus “@icloud.com” but Custom Email Domain lets you use any email address that you own from any domain and receive and send using it.

 

Ideal Application Scenario

Since you can use your other email accounts if you are subscribed to iCloud+, you can maximize this iCloud+ feature to help you manage your accounts even more. It will help you sort your emails from one account to another if you are using multiple accounts for different purposes. You can also use this in Family Sharing since it’s included in iCloud+. Your family members who are part of your subscription can also customize their own email domain, and perhaps, you could create a custom family email domain just for you and your family. 

 

Monitor your home

We all know how important CCTV cameras are nowadays, especially in your own home. Most homes are equipped with CCTV cameras, roads, and even businesses so that they have a record of what, when, and where the footage happened. With iCloud+, HomeKit Secure Video takes home monitoring to the next level by allowing you to store encrypted camera footage directly in iCloud.

What makes this feature even better is that you can view your home footage across your Apple Devices through iCloud, and the great thing about this is that the footage will not add up to your storage capacity. Plus, it also has Face Recognition and Activity Zones. Face Recognition helps you and your device to identify people who are seen in the footage, while Activity Zones work by defining an area that you want to focus more on. 

 

Ideal Application Scenario

HomeKit Secure Video is ideal for families or individuals who have pets in their household. They can capitalize on this iCloud+ feature to monitor what’s happening in their home. Also, they can monitor who’s coming in and out and recognize people who are going to their house. 

Whether you’re a parent wanting to check on your kids or a pet owner curious about what your furry friends are up to, HomeKit Secure Video offers peace of mind and convenience.

 

 

Protect your data

Phishing has become one of the most common scams today, targeting individuals with credit cards, online banking accounts, or sensitive personal information. Cybercriminals often exploit this data for their own malicious purposes, making it crucial to safeguard your information.

 

Advanced Data Protection is an iCloud+ feature that takes your data security to the next level. By default, your data is encrypted by iCloud and transmitted to Apple data centers. You can only have access to your data keys derived from your devices and your device passcode. Although you can access your iCloud data across your Apple Devices by default, Advanced Data Protection works by only having your trusted devices that can decrypt your protected data. Not even Apple itself can have access to your protected data. 

 

Ideal Application Scenario

Advanced Data Protection works best with protecting your very confidential data, like your Notes, Messages backup, Wallets pass, and even backing up your device. This feature is perfect for anyone who values privacy and wants to ensure their most important data remains secure, even in the face of potential cyber threats. 

 

iCloud+: Why Privacy Matters

In the digital age, every person has their own confidential data. Whether it’s their personal email address, private conversations, bank account details, and many more. It’s best to have your personal data safe and secure. We won’t know when the next data breach will happen, and that’s why it’s better to protect and safeguard your personal data with the iCloud+ features. 

iCloud+ does more than store your data—it empowers you with tools to enhance your privacy and security in the digital world. By exploring features like Private Relay, Hide My Email, and others, you can take control of your online presence and protect your personal information like never before, and it’s perfect to pair your iCloud+ subscription with our latest iPhone and iPad collection. Don’t let these tools go unnoticed—start using them today to unlock a safer, more private digital experience. Your data deserves it!