What is iCloud+ (iCloud Plus)?

With more storage space and additional features, Apple’s paid cloud service iCloud Plus offers valuable benefits. We’ll explain what you need to know and how to activate it on your device.

What is iCloud+? Important info at a glance

• 50 GB/200 GB/2 TB of online storage starting at $0.99 a month
• Advanced privacy features like IP address anonymization and email address masking
• Available for devices with (at least) iOS 10, macOS Sierra (macOS 10.12) and Windows

What is iCloud Plus? In detail

iCloud+ is a paid, expanded version of Apple’s online storage service iCloud. While the free version comes with 5 GB of storage, iCloud Plus provides 50 GB, 200 GB, 2 TB, 6 TB or 12 TB for a monthly fee. As an iCloud+ subscriber you can also use all the features of iCloud Drive, which facilitates the automatic backup of the data from all your devices. The service is rounded off with a number of premium features.

What are the features of iCloud+?

• iCloud private relay: This feature enables anonymized use of the internet. It hides your IP address, similar to a VPN, but only works in Safari.
• Hide My Email: Use a randomly generated email address for subscribing to newsletters and entering sweepstakes. Messages will be forwarded to your inbox, and your actual email address remains hidden.
• HomeKit secure video: Connect your security camera in the Home app and access videos stored in the cloud from anywhere. Depending on your subscription size, you can connect one, five or unlimited cameras.
• Custom email domain: If you already use your own domain for sending emails, you can also use it for iCloud emails (instead of @icloud.com) by connecting iCloud with your own domain.

If you created a Family Sharing group with iCloud, you can share your iCloud Plus plan with that group. Up to five other people can benefit from your storage space and use the features described above, without any additional fees.

How much does iCloud+ cost?

The monthly price for iCloud Plus is based on the amount of storage space you need:

• 50 GB for $0.99
• 200 GB for $2.99
• 2 TB for $9.99
• 6 TB for $29.99
• 12 TB for $59.99

How to set up iCloud Plus

To use iCloud Plus, you’ll need to have iOS10 or higher or macOS Sierra 10.12 or higher on your Apple device. You can also use iCloud+ on Windows devices. If you want to use all iCloud features, you should have Windows 10 or higher. For the fullest range of features, Apple recommends using iOS 18, iPadOS 18 or macOS Sequoia 15.

Activating iCloud+ on an iPhone or iPad

1. Open “Settings” on your device and tap on your name.
2. Under “iCloud”, tap on “Storage”. Alternatively, you can scroll down and tap on “Upgrade to iCloud+”.
3. Select “Change Storage Plan”.
4. You’ll now see the different plans (based on storage space and iCloud+ features) and can book the plan of your choosing.

Activating iCloud+ on a Mac

1. Open System Settings on your Mac and select “Apple Account”.
2. Click on “iCloud” and then on “Manage Plan”.
3. Select a plan and click “Next”.
4. Enter your password to complete the purchase.

Activating iCloud+ on a Windows computer

1. Download iCloud in the Microsoft store.
2. Log into your Apple Account in the iCloud Windows app.
3. Select “Storage”.
4. Click on “Change Storage Plan”.
5. Click “Next” to continue and select an iCloud Plus plan.

How to cancel or downgrade an iCloud Plus plan

If you no longer need the storage space or features of iCloud Plus, you can downgrade your current plan. To do so, use the above instructions to navigate to the area where you can select a plan. Then click on “Downgrade Options” and select a cheaper plan or iCloud’s free version. Selecting the free version means you are canceling iCloud+. The change will be effective starting in the next billing period (usually the next billing month).