Is 5GB of iCloud not enough? Consider subscribing to iCloud+, get more storage space and privacy and security features as a central benefit, we tell you everything here
Apple’s cloud is called iCloud and has undergone some degree of evolution since its launch in 2011. Storage is the key to this service, although interesting features related to Internet browsing, email, secure video with HomeKit, among other situations, have been added. All of this is bundled into iCloud+ and its cost is affordable and increases depending on the amount of storage you need.. We will see what its main functions are and how much you will have to pay to acquire it.
- iCloud+, what is it and what do I get when I pay Apple monthly?
- Do you have to pay for iCloud+? Pricing and options
iCloud+, what is it and what do I get when I pay Apple monthly?
Let’s start by telling you that using iCloud is free even if you only have 5 GB of storage, a figure that in these times seems more than insufficient.
The good news is that The first tier of iCloud+ is cheaper than you think and you get 50GB for $0.99 per month. Then the next level is $2.99 per month with 200 GB of storage. Finally, for $9.99 per month you can get 2 TB of storage. If you need more space, Apple offers you up to 12TB but we’ll detail those prices later.
Besides storage, You can use native Apple apps as normal but with added privacy and security features.
iCloud Private Relay, browse securely in Safari
No matter how many devices you have, Whether it’s an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can use iCloud Private Relay. It is only available through Safari, as it is Apple’s native browser. Your privacy is guaranteed when browsing the internet as if it were the security that a VPN offers you.
Your identity is protected with encryption on all traffic on your device. It will be difficult for your Internet Service Provider and any type of criminal or computer attacker to find out what you are seeing in Safari.
What makes iCloud Private Relay special? It’s like a double shield.. When internet traffic is encrypted, it is sent to two different relays. One takes care of assigning the anonymous IP address that does not have your location and the second does the work of discovering the website you want to forward to its final destination. This produces some of the best internet browsing in the world. Apple also can’t see what we do online..
It is not a VPN, let’s be clear, you will not be able to change the browsing location as normally happens with this type of solution. Nor will you be able to use it with Chrome or another browser. Another advantage that Apple offers you is that it does not compromise the performance of your browsing. This and other functions are compatible since iOS 15, iPadOS 15 and macOS Monterey.
Hide your email and create an email with a custom domain
Have you been invaded by spam and want to start from scratch? Well, iCloud+ offers you a feature called Hide My Email with which you can create different email aliases which prevents you from providing your real address. It is similar to the Sign in with Apple button, if you have used it, you already know what we are talking about.
This function is compatible with Apple Mail and therefore you cannot use the service of your usual email provider. Here we show you how to create one or more new aliases.
iCloud+ also gives you custom domains to use in Mail. You can add 5 custom domains that will replace “@icloud.com”. Make sure to set it up on the iCloud website. In this case, you will have two options: purchase a domain through Cloudflare or use your own domain if you already have one.
HomeKit Protected Video
Lastly, if you have security cameras linked to the Home app, iCloud+ gives you protected HomeKit video. If you don’t trust the cloud service that handles your recordings (if any), you can rely on iCloud+ to have all activity recorded and analyzed in the home automation hub for upload to iCloud.
Recordings are end-to-end encrypted and only authorized users other than you can view them.. If you don’t already have security cameras and want to buy some to link to this service, check out the list of devices compatible with the Home app and HomeKit in the Apple Online Store. In the 50 and 200 GB plans, you can only have 1 and 5 cameras. In larger storage plans, the number of cameras is unlimited.
Do you have to pay for iCloud+? Pricing and options
We come back to the price and If you think 2TB is not enough, Apple offers 6TB and 12TB for $29.99 and $59.99 per month
If you like to have most of your own content in the cloud, there’s no doubt that a subscription is the best option.. Best of all, the costs of 50 GB and 200 GB are more than affordable, we even dare to say that $9.99 is ideal knowing that you are offered 2 TB. An advantage is that you can share the iCloud+ subscription with your family, but we think you can consider a better option.
Choose iCloud+ with Apple One, save and get more Apple services
In my case, I think if you use Apple Music, Apple TV+ or another Apple service at the same time, you should be an Apple One subscriber.. Here are 5 Apple services (plus Arcade and Fitness+). The Apple One individual plan is $19.95, a saving of $9 per month according to Apple considering 50 GB of storage, Apple TV+, Apple Music and Apple Arcade. The next plan is already familiar and has a price of $25.95, a saving of $11 but with the difference that you can share it with 5 people and you benefit from 200 GB of storage with the same services as in the individual plan. Finally, there is the Apple One premium plan at $34.95 per month in which you benefit from 2 TB of space and Apple Fitness+.
If you consider that you will only use iCloud+ without another Apple service, the options are wide in terms of storage. On the contrary, with Apple One you get 50GB to 2TB but you can share it with more services from 200 GB.
We want you to make the best decision about what you need and what you want to pay for. Visit the iCloud website and answer any other questions that may arise during the process.
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