What Is iCloud+ and Should You Upgrade?

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Ever wondered what iCloud+ is, and why your iPhone keeps suggesting it? You’re not alone. Along with offering additional storage, this “plus” subscription plan also unlocks some powerful privacy and advanced features. Keep reading, and we’ll break down exactly what iCloud+ is, how it’s different from regular iCloud, what you get for your money, and whether it’s worth upgrading.

What Is iCloud+, and How Is It Different From iCloud?

iCloud is Apple’s free cloud service that gives every user 5GB of storage. It backs up your iPhone, syncs your photos, contacts, messages, and other data across devices, and works in the background to keep everything up to date.

On the other hand, iCloud+ is a paid upgrade that builds on iCloud. It gives you more cloud storage and adds features focused on privacy, security, email personalization, and smart home integration.

Besides iCloud and iCloud+, there’s one more term that you may come across on your iPhone or Mac, iCloud Drive, though it isn’t a subscription like the other two. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you understand them better:

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iCloud: The free service with basic syncing and 5GB storage.
iCloud Drive: A part of iCloud that acts like a file manager where you can manually upload and manage files.
iCloud+: The paid version of iCloud that unlocks premium features and higher storage options.

To upgrade to iCloud+, open Settings and tap your name at the top. Go to iCloud > Upgrade to iCloud+, and select the plan and complete the payment process to upgrade. The process is same on both iPhone/iPad and Mac.

What Are the Key Features of iCloud+?

iCloud+ is more than just extra space. It includes smart tools that improve how you browse, email, and secure your digital life. Let’s go over each of them in detail.

1. iCloud Private Relay

iCloud Private Relay is Apple’s privacy-focused feature that hides your IP address and browsing activity in Safari. It works a bit like a VPN but with a twist: your web traffic is encrypted and sent through two relays (servers) run by separate companies. This way, no one—not even Apple—can see both who you are and where you’re going online.

You can choose to keep your location slightly accurate (for local search results) or very broad (for more privacy). It works only in Safari and is not available in some countries like China, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa.

To set up Privacy Relay, go to iCloud > Private Relay and toggle the switch next to Private Relay on.

Also read: iCloud Private Relay vs VPN: Which one is better?

2. Hide My Email

Whenever you need to give your email address to a website or app, you can use the Hide My Email feature to generate a random one and share that instead. Emails sent to this address will be forwarded to your real inbox, but your actual address stays private. You can create and delete these aliases anytime. This is a great feature for avoiding spam, protecting your identity, or signing up for websites without sharing your personal email.

You can create a new address by going to iCloud > Hide My Email > Create New Address and following the on-screen instructions. Check out our detailed guide on how to use Hide My Email on an iPhone to learn more.

3. HomeKit Secure Video

If you use HomeKit-compatible security cameras, iCloud+ lets you store footage securely in iCloud without it counting against your storage limit. The videos are encrypted end-to-end and analyzed locally using your home hub (like Apple TV or HomePod).

50GB plan: 1 camera
200GB plan: Up to 5 cameras
2TB and higher: Unlimited cameras

You can also set up face recognition and activity zones and share access with family members.

4. Custom Email Domain

Want an email that looks more professional? With iCloud+, you can use a domain you own (like yourname@yourdomain.com) instead of yourname@icloud.com. You can create up to 3 email addresses per domain and invite others to use the same domain with their iCloud Mail.

Creating a custom domain is simple. You can do this by navigating to iCloud > Custom Email Domain > Add Domain and following the on-screen instructions.

5. Family Sharing

You can share your iCloud+ plan with up to five other people in your Family Sharing group. When you do this, everyone gets access to the features (like Private Relay and Hide My Email) and shared storage, but your data stays private.

To share with family, go to iCloud > Manage Account Storage > Share With Family.

6. Recovery Contact & Legacy Contact

Recovery Contact lets you assign a trusted person (like a parent or spouse) who can help you recover your Apple account if you get locked out.
Legacy Contact allows someone to access your iCloud data after you pass away. It’s a secure way to pass on digital memories and important files.

If you want to add recovery or legacy contact, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, and select Password & Security.

iCloud+ Plans and Pricing (As of 2025)

If the features and extra benefits of iCloud+ piqued your interest, you can upgrade to it. Below are all the iCloud+ plans available as of the time of writing.

Plan	Storage	HomeKit Cameras	Price (Monthly, US)
Basic	50GB	1 camera	$0.99
Standard	200GB	Up to 5 cameras	$2.99
Premium	2TB	Unlimited cameras	$9.99
Ultra	6TB	Unlimited cameras	$29.99
Max	12TB	Unlimited cameras	$59.99

These plans are exclusive to the United States. If you are in any other country, the pricing can be different. Check out the Apple page to check the pricing in your country currently.

All plans include access to all iCloud+ features and can be shared with family. They’re also bundled with Apple One plans.

Is iCloud+ Worth It?

If you rely on iCloud for backups and syncing, use Safari, or have smart home cameras, iCloud+ offers great value even at the lowest tier. It’s especially helpful for families and privacy-conscious users.

The Hide My Email and Private Relay features alone can justify the cost for many, and if you’re looking for professional email or smart camera storage, higher tiers make even more sense.

A Smarter, More Private iCloud Experience

iCloud+ turns Apple’s basic cloud service into a more powerful, privacy-first subscription. Whether you want more space, more control over your data, or advanced features like custom emails and secure video, iCloud+ is worth considering for most Apple users.

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