macOS · Storage & Backup
Manage Private Relay, Hide My Email, and more
Enable and configure premium iCloud+ features such as iCloud Private Relay, Hide My Email, and HomeKit Secure Video storage tied to your paid iCloud storage plan.
How to open iCloud+ Features
- Open System Settings and click your name (Apple ID)
- Select iCloud
- Choose the iCloud+ feature to configure, such as Private Relay or Hide My Email
- Toggle it on and adjust its specific options
What you should know
- Located under Apple ID → iCloud in System Settings
- Includes Private Relay, Hide My Email, and custom email domain
- Available on any paid iCloud+ storage tier, not just the top plan
- Some features, like Private Relay, can be paused per network
Why it matters
iCloud+ features extend basic iCloud storage into a set of privacy and convenience tools bundled at no extra cost once you subscribe to any paid storage tier. Private Relay masks browsing traffic from network observers, while Hide My Email lets users create disposable addresses to reduce spam and tracking tied to their real email. Because many users don't realize these are included with iCloud+, reviewing this settings page often reveals underused value in an existing subscription.
Best practices
- Enable Hide My Email when signing up for services you don't fully trust
- Pause Private Relay only when troubleshooting a specific network issue
- Review generated Hide My Email addresses periodically and deactivate unused ones
Common problems and fixes
- A website doesn't work correctly with Private Relay on
- Temporarily disable Private Relay for that specific network in Wi-Fi settings.
- Emails sent to a Hide My Email address aren't arriving
- Check that the alias is still active and check Mail's spam or junk folder.
- iCloud+ features are greyed out
- Confirm you're subscribed to a paid iCloud storage tier, as the free tier doesn't include them.
Tips and tricks
- Use Hide My Email directly from Safari's autofill when signing up for new accounts
- Check iCloud+ feature availability if a feature seems missing after a plan downgrade
Frequently asked questions
Do I need the top storage tier for iCloud+ features?
No, any paid tier starting at the smallest paid plan includes the full iCloud+ feature set.
Does Private Relay work like a VPN?
It's similar in that it hides your IP address from websites, but it only applies to Safari browsing traffic and some system traffic, not all apps.
Related settings
- iCloud DriveiCloud Drive keeps your files in sync across every device signed into the same Apple ID, and can automatically include your Desktop and Documents folders so they're backed up and accessible from any Mac, iPhone, or iPad. Files sync in the background and are accessible from the Finder sidebar or iCloud.com.
- Download a Copy of Your DataRequest a downloadable archive of the personal data associated with your Apple ID, including iCloud content, purchase history, and account details, through the Data & Privacy portal.
More Storage & Backup guides for macOS
- Time Machine BackupTime Machine automatically backs up your entire Mac — apps, accounts, preferences, and files — to an external or network drive, so you can restore individual files or your whole system if something goes wrong.
- Storage ManagementStorage settings show a visual breakdown of exactly what's using space on your Mac's disk, plus built-in recommendations — like storing files in iCloud or automatically emptying the Trash — to free up space without manually hunting for large files yourself.
- Optimize StorageOptimize Storage is a set of Apple-recommended actions — like storing files in iCloud, auto-emptying the Trash, and removing watched TV shows and movies — that free up local disk space with minimal effort. It's found inside About This Mac's Storage settings.
- External StorageExternal Storage covers how macOS handles USB, Thunderbolt, and network-attached drives connected to your Mac — formatting them, choosing a file system, ejecting safely, and deciding which ones are eligible for Time Machine backups. Disk Utility is the main tool for managing these drives.
- Documents & Desktop iCloud SyncAutomatically upload the contents of your Desktop and Documents folders to iCloud Drive so they stay backed up and accessible from other signed-in devices.
- Migration AssistantMove apps, files, user accounts, and settings from another Mac, a Time Machine backup, or a Windows PC onto your current Mac using the built-in Migration Assistant utility.