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Tag: iCloud

  • A fresh bonus for iCloud storage users

    A fresh bonus for iCloud storage users

    If you’re someone who pays for extra iCloud storage on your iPhone, Apple has a nice surprise for you—and it won’t cost you anything more! They’ve added a cool new feature that lets you make invitations right from your phone. This comes through the Apple Invites app, which showed up in the App Store last month.

    With this app, anyone who has an iCloud+ subscription can create invites for all kinds of events. Think birthday parties, graduations, baby showers, or even a simple get-together with friends. It’s super easy to use, and the best part? You don’t have to pay extra to enjoy it—it’s included with your iCloud+ plan.

    Here’s how it works: you can design an invitation in the app and send it out to people. Anyone can reply to say if they’re coming or not, even if they don’t have an iPhone or an Apple account. That makes it handy for inviting all sorts of people without worrying about what device they use.

    Apple’s iCloud+ plans already come with some neat perks, like keeping your online activity private with Private Relay and securing your home videos with HomeKit Secure Video. Now, the Apple Invites app joins the list, giving you a fun and practical way to plan events. Whether you’re paying for 50GB or 2TB of storage, this feature is yours to use.

    The app launched quietly, but it’s already making things simpler for iCloud+ users. You can send out invites quickly and keep track of who’s coming—all from one place. It’s a small addition, but it shows Apple’s trying to give you more value for your subscription.

    So, if you’re an iCloud+ subscriber, why not give it a try? Next time you’re planning something, open the Apple Invites app and see how it makes things easier. It’s a little bonus that could turn your storage plan into more than just a place to keep photos and files!

  • Apple makes storage info clear again in macOS 15.4 and fixes iCloud Mail trouble with iOS 18.3.2

    Apple makes storage info clear again in macOS 15.4 and fixes iCloud Mail trouble with iOS 18.3.2

    Apple recently updated macOS 15.4, and in its second beta version released this month, they hid how much space Apple Intelligence uses on a Mac. This change happened in the System Settings, making it tough for users to see the details.

    After some people thought Apple was trying to keep the storage size of Apple Intelligence a secret, the company quickly fixed it. With the fourth beta of macOS 15.4 out now, Apple brought back an easy way to check this info. You can find it by going to System Settings > General > Storage, then clicking the info button next to the macOS entry. A little window pops up showing the macOS version and how much space Apple Intelligence takes. This is the same setup as in the current macOS Sequoia 15.3.2.

    Some think the missing storage info in the earlier beta was just a mistake. Users who turned off System Integrity Protection (SIP)—a security feature that stops unsafe code from running—could still see the details. SIP is usually on for most people and can only be switched off in Recovery Mode, something developers do more often. Since Apple brought the info back for everyone, it might’ve been an accident, but we’re not sure.

    Apple says Apple Intelligence can use up to 7GB of space on a Mac, though some users notice it takes even more in macOS Sequoia 15.4. It needs this space to store special files that let it work on your device without always needing the internet. If you don’t want it using space, you can turn off Apple Intelligence.

    Meanwhile, the iOS 18.3.2 update from last week has caused problems for some iCloud Mail users. People on Reddit and forums like MacRumors say new emails aren’t showing up on their iPhones automatically after the update. Even with the right settings, they have to refresh the Mail app manually to see new messages. One Reddit user shared, “Since updating to iOS 18.3.2, my iCloud emails don’t come through on their own. I have to refresh, even though it worked fine before on 18.3.1.”

    Normally, iCloud Mail uses Push to send emails to your phone instantly. If that’s not working, it should switch to Fetch, checking for new mail every so often. But for some, neither option is doing the job. Other email services like Microsoft seem fine, so this glitch is just with iCloud Mail. Apple likely knows about it, and a fix should come soon.

  • Hidden court case on iCloud security sparks calls for openness

    Hidden court case on iCloud security sparks calls for openness

    A private court session about iCloud encryption started on Friday, and people in the UK and US are pushing for it to be made public. The UK government wants Apple to add a secret way into iCloud, not just for UK citizens but for everyone using it worldwide. Some iCloud info uses basic protection where Apple keeps a key and can share it with governments if ordered. Other data uses stronger protection, where only the user and their devices have the key.

    Apple offers a privacy tool called Advanced Data Protection (ADP), which locks nearly all iCloud data so tightly that even Apple can’t open it. If ADP is on, Apple can’t hand over data to governments. The UK’s demand would force Apple to unlock ADP. Instead of agreeing, Apple stopped offering ADP to UK users while it fights the rule.

    The Quiet Court Battle Over a Hidden Demand

    The UK law makes these orders secret, and any challenges to them happen behind closed doors. Apple found a smart workaround to hint at the issue. It couldn’t legally say the UK told it to unlock ADP, so it simply pulled ADP from the UK without saying why. The message was obvious: “We can’t admit the UK demanded this, or that we said no.”

    Apple also couldn’t say it was fighting the order, but somehow that news slipped out too. UK reporters showed up at the Royal Courts of Justice on Friday but couldn’t enter the courtroom.

    Protests in the UK and US

    Many groups are upset. UK news outlets like the BBC, Reuters, and The Guardian, along with privacy groups like Big Brother Watch, have complained to the court, saying the case should be public. Privacy International and Liberty also teamed up to argue against the secret order.

    “This secret move by the UK to weaken security for everyone is unfair and too extreme,” said Caroline Wilson Palow from Privacy International. “People everywhere need strong protection to stay safe from threats.” In the US, five lawmakers from both parties, including Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Andy Biggs, demanded the court open up the case. They say hiding it makes no sense now that the order is widely known, especially since Apple already pulled ADP from the UK last month.

  • Apple resists UK’s push for iCloud access

    Apple resists UK’s push for iCloud access

    Apple has taken a bold step by filing a legal challenge with the UK’s Investigatory Powers Tribunal. This move aims to block the UK government’s request for secret access to private iCloud data, according to the Financial Times.

    iCloud Privacy vs. UK Rules

    Earlier this year, the UK demanded that Apple create a hidden way—called a backdoor—to access encrypted information stored in iCloud by users around the world. The UK based this order on its Investigatory Powers Act. Apple, however, refused to follow through. Instead, it pulled a security feature called Advanced Data Protection from the UK. This tool gives iPhone, iPad, and Mac users strong encryption for their iCloud files, keeping them private.

    Apple is ready to stand firm against the UK to safeguard user privacy. The legal fight it started could be reviewed in court as early as this month. Due to strict UK laws, Apple can’t openly talk about the government’s order, so the case might happen quietly, out of the public eye.

    What’s at Stake?

    Apple has warned before that it would rather stop offering some iCloud services in the UK than weaken its security. For now, it’s only removed Advanced Data Protection, but other popular tools like FaceTime and iMessage could also disappear if the UK keeps pushing. The government says it needs this access to tackle terrorism and child abuse cases.

    Apple has a history of resisting such demands. Back in 2016, it fought the U.S. government when asked to unlock an iPhone tied to a shooting in San Bernardino, California. After a big legal clash, Apple held its ground. Interestingly, the U.S. now supports strong encryption to shield users from foreign cyber threats.

    A Bigger Picture

    The U.S. is also checking if the UK’s request breaks the CLOUD Act, a law that stops the UK from seeking data on American users—and the other way around. This could spark more tension between the two nations over privacy rules.

  • Apple beats lawsuit over iCloud storage pricing

    Apple beats lawsuit over iCloud storage pricing

    For many iPhone users, iCloud storage is a tricky topic. The free 5GB plan often feels too small, but paying monthly for extra space isn’t everyone’s favorite choice. Recently, Apple faced a lawsuit in the US about how it handles iCloud pricing, but a judge threw the case out.

    Judge Tosses Out Claims Against Apple

    According to Mike Scarcella at Reuters, a lawsuit accusing Apple of unfairly controlling the digital storage market and overcharging for iCloud was dismissed. On Friday, U.S. District Judge Eumi Lee in San Jose, California, ruled that the people suing Apple didn’t prove the company broke any federal or state competition laws. She did, however, give them a chance to rewrite and resubmit their case.

    The lawsuit claimed Apple forced iPhone users into using iCloud by making it the only option for backing up important data, like device settings. The people suing said this gave Apple too much control, letting it charge higher prices for storage. Apple strongly disagreed with these accusations.

    Why the Case Didn’t Hold Up

    Judge Lee wasn’t convinced by the arguments. She pointed out that if Apple’s prices were so high, other companies would jump in to offer cheaper options and steal customers. She also said there’s no proof that users have to buy iCloud storage or that Apple unfairly dominates the cloud storage world.

    What This Means

    From my view, this ruling suggests Apple’s iCloud plans—like the free 5GB tier and the paid options—aren’t going anywhere soon. The company came out on top this time, and unless the lawsuit gets a major redo, things will likely stay the same for iPhone users.

  • Apple drops iCloud security feature in the UK due to government rules

    Apple drops iCloud security feature in the UK due to government rules

    Apple is taking away a special security option called Advanced Data Protection for iCloud users in the United Kingdom. This tool allowed people to keep their iCloud information super safe with a lock only they could open. But the UK government has told tech companies like Apple to add secret ways into these locks, called backdoors.

    Instead of adding these backdoors and weakening the safety of Advanced Data Protection, Apple decided to remove it completely for UK users. In a message to 9to5Mac, Apple explained that people already using this feature will soon have to turn it off to keep their iCloud accounts working.

    For those in the UK who haven’t turned on Advanced Data Protection yet, the choice is gone. When they try, they’ll see a note saying, “Apple can’t offer Advanced Data Protection (ADP) to new users in the United Kingdom anymore.”

    If you’re a UK user with this feature on, Apple says you’ll need to switch it off soon to keep using iCloud. Since the safety lock is so tight, Apple can’t turn it off for you—they’ll share a guide to help you do it yourself.

    Apple isn’t happy about this change. They said, “We’re really upset that UK users won’t have this strong protection anymore, especially with more data leaks and privacy risks out there. Keeping your info safe in the cloud is more important than ever. We want to give our users the best security and hope to bring this back to the UK someday. We’ve never made a secret key to unlock our products, and we won’t.”

    Without this protection, the UK government can now ask Apple for data from any iCloud account whenever they want. The new rules even stop Apple from telling users when their info is taken.
    Some iCloud features, like passwords and health data, still have this strong lock for now. But it’s unclear how long that will last with the UK’s new demands. Apple hasn’t said much about what’s next for those parts.

    Source

  • New feature spotted on iCloud: Apple invites

    New feature spotted on iCloud: Apple invites

    Update: Apple has officially launched the new Apple Invites app.

    It looks like Apple is about to roll out a new feature called “Apple Invites.” This was spotted on the main iCloud website, though Apple hasn’t made an official announcement yet. The iCloud homepage now mentions that “Apple Invites” will be part of the iCloud+ package:

    Upgrade to iCloud+ to enjoy more storage, plan your events with Apple Invites, and keep your privacy safe with features like iCloud Private Relay, Hide My Email, and HomeKit Secure Video. iCloud+ is what Apple calls its premium storage plans, starting at just $0.99 a month in the US.

    Besides extra storage, iCloud+ subscribers get perks like iCloud Private Relay and HomeKit Secure Video for free. Now, it seems Apple Invites is the latest benefit you can expect. You’ll be able to use Apple Invites right from iCloud.com/invites, and there’s likely going to be an app for your iPhone and other devices too.

    The feature is designed to help you plan events like birthday parties or graduations:

    Make digital invitations for parties, graduations, baby showers, and more. Keep track of who’s coming, share photos, and send invites easily through email or text. If you’re an iCloud+ subscriber, you’ll have access to all of Apple Invites without any extra fees, no ads, and you can create as many events as you like.

    Apple Invites will work hand-in-hand with other Apple services like Apple Music, Apple Maps, and Photos. According to tech journalist Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, we might hear more about Apple Invites very soon, possibly this week.

    Source

  • Apple might unveil new iCloud party feature soon

    Apple might unveil new iCloud party feature soon

    Apple could roll out a fresh iCloud feature named ‘Confetti’ as soon as this week, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

    In his latest newsletter, Gurman revealed that ‘Confetti’ is designed to make it easier for users to send out invitations to parties, gatherings, and meetings. It’s unclear whether this new tool will come as a separate app or be part of an already existing one like the Calendar.

    This new service is linked with the recently launched iOS 18.3 update.

    Last month, the tech news site 9to5Mac found some code in iOS 18.3 suggesting Apple might be working on a new app called “Invites” for organizing events. This app would connect directly with iCloud. Gurman’s recent news supports this discovery, although many specifics remain a mystery.

    We should get more details once Apple makes its official statement.