iCloud security gets better (don’t forget your password)

Apple has announced that iCloud security is getting a lot better. Only now it becomes even more important to never forget your password.

End-to-end encryption on iCloud

iCloud already used end-to-end encryption with a number of services on your iPhone, iPad and Mac. Examples of these services are health data and storing passwords in iCloud.

What exactly is end-to-end encryption? End-to-end encryption ensures that only you and the person you are communicating with can read or listen to the conversation. The conversation is, as it were, encrypted, which is also referred to as ‘encryption’. Third parties such as Apple cannot see the content of the conversation, making the conversation more secure.

Messages and photos are provided with end-to-end encryption on iCloud

This end-to-end encryption is now being extended to more iCloud services. Security is now also coming to the following services:

• Device backups
• Messages
• iCloudDrive
• Notes
• photos
• Memories
• Safari Bookmarks
• Siri Commands
• Voice recordings
• Cards in your Wallet app

Quite a list, but not an unnecessary luxury if it’s up to us. After all, iCloud is full of personal data, so it is very important that it is properly secured. With end-to-end encryption, this is finally the case.

Advanced Data Protection: keep your backup codes safe

With the extensive end-to-end encryption, Apple no longer has access to your files. This means that if you can no longer access your iCloud account, Apple can no longer help you. So it is very important to keep the backup code of your iCloud account safe somewhere. With such a code you can still access the account, even if you have forgotten your password.

The Advanced Data Protection on iCloud – Apple’s name for setting end-to-end encryption – you have to manually enable in iOS 16.2. Before enabling protection, you must configure an account recovery contact or recovery code. This way, even if you don’t remember your password, you can still access your account via a detour.

Better security on iCloud coming soon

The Advanced Data Protection on iCloud will soon be available in iOS 16.2. The encryption will be released in the United States before the end of this year and the rest of the world will follow in early 2023. Before then, you can better secure your Apple ID with two-step verification, so you can be sure that your files are not easily accessible .

Do you always want to be informed of the latest news? Sign up for our daily/weekly newsletter. In addition, download the free iPhoned app and keep an eye on our website. Then you’ll never miss an Apple news again!