And with iOS 16.2, Apple introduced advanced data protection and end-to-end encryption for iCloud to all users outside of the United States.
What is Advanced Data Protection on iOS 16.2?
Advanced-Data Protection for iCloud includes end-to-end encryption for additional categories beyond passwords, payment information, and health data.
With Advanced Data Protection, Apple expands the categories of sensitive data from 14 to 23, including the most sensitive categories of data, such as iCloud Backup, Notes, and Photos.
Enabling this optional feature allows for end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only your trusted devices can access your iCloud data.
This also means that Apple will not be able to access your encrypted cloud data, even in the event of a data breach.
How to enable Advanced Data Protection on iPhone
To get started, your iPhone must be updated to iOS 16.2.
If not, update your iPhone to iOS 16.2 and follow these steps.
Open Settings and tap on your name.
Select iCloud.
Scroll down and select Advanced Data Protection.
Then choose Turn on advanced data protection.
Do note that you will be asked to configure account recovery, if you haven’t already done so, follow the next steps.
Open Settings and tap on your name at the top.
Select Password and Security.
Click on Restore Account.
Choose Add Recovery Contact and then select it again.
Use Touch ID or Face ID to unlock your device.
Choose a contact of your choice.
Tap Add to save the contact as a recovery contact.
Select Send to send the request to the contact.
Click Done.
Once you’ve set up account recovery, follow the steps to enable Advanced Data Protection.
Go back to the advanced data protection settings.
Enable advanced data protection.
Follow additional verification steps, including entering your recovery key and lock passcode.
Once everything is set up, you will receive a confirmation that Advanced Data Protection is enabled.
Enabling Advanced Data Protection for iCloud makes changes like limiting access to your data only to your trusted devices.
If you want to access your iCloud data, you must first authorize temporary access using one of your trusted devices.
If you set up Family Sharing, all shared data will be encrypted, but all members must enable the feature on their devices.
Furthermore, using shared albums in photos or collaborating files with “anyone with the link” will only have traditional data security measures and not end-to-end encryption.
