ICloud

iCloud


The iCloud.com web interface
TypeCloud service
Launch dateOctober 12, 2011 (2011-10-12)
StatusActive
Pricing modelFree; optional subscription for more storage
Websiteicloud.com

iCloud is a cloud service developed by Apple Inc. Launched on October 12, 2011, iCloud enables users to store and sync data across devices, including Apple Mail, Apple Calendar, Apple Photos, Apple Notes, contacts, settings, backups, and files, to collaborate with other users, and track assets through Find My.[1] It is built into iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, macOS, and visionOS. iCloud may additionally be accessed through a limited web interface and Windows application.

iCloud offers users 5 GB of free storage which may be upgraded to 50 GB, 200 GB, or 2 TB through optional paid plans.[2] Starting in September 2023, storage options for 6 TB and 12 TB have been added.[3] All paid plans include iCloud+ which additionally provides Private Relay, Hide My Email and Custom Email Domain.[4]

As of 2018, the service had an estimated 850 million users, up from 782 million users in 2016.[5][6][7]

In December 2022, Apple rolled out optional end-to-end encryption for all iCloud data (including iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive, and more), with the exception of Calendar, Contacts, and Mail, which rely on legacy sync technologies for compatibility with third-party apps (CalDav, CardDav, IMAP).[8] The feature was released to U.S. customers on December 13, 2022,[9] and rolled out worldwide on January 23, 2023.[10]

  1. ^ "Apps and features that use iCloud". Apple Support. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  2. ^ "What you can do with iCloud storage". Apple Support. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  3. ^ Silberling, Amanda (September 12, 2023). "iCloud+ adds a 6TB and 12TB storage plan". TechCrunch. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  4. ^ "What is iCloud+?". Apple Support. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  5. ^ Novet, Jordan (February 11, 2018). "The case for Apple to sell a version of iCloud for work". CNBC. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  6. ^ "Apple Music passes 11M subscribers as iCloud hits 782M users". February 12, 2016. Archived from the original on April 20, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  7. ^ '"They Might Be Giants" With A Spanish Accent', With Special Guests Eddy Cue And Craig Federighi, The talk show 146 (32:57) [1] Archived January 24, 2019, at the Wayback Machine February 12, 2016
  8. ^ Newman, Lily Hay. "Apple Expands End-to-End Encryption to iCloud Backups". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  9. ^ Fleishman, Glenn (December 28, 2022). "Advanced Data Protection for iCloud: How to lock and encrypt your personal data". Macworld. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  10. ^ "La version finale de macOS 13.2 est disponible avec plusieurs fonctions de sécurité". MacGeneration (in French). January 23, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023.