Apple releases extended e2e encryption for iCloud worldwide in iOS 16.3

Apple will soon make its Advanced Data Protection feature available globally in iOS 16.3. This means that more data types in iCloud are provided with end-to-end encryption. This feature was previously only available in the US.

Apple will release iOS 16.3 next week and with it Advanced Data Protection should be available to all users, also writes Macrumors. Apple announced Advanced Data Protection late last year and then released it in the United States, extending end-to-end encryption to more types of iCloud data. The feature must be manually enabled in the iOS Settings under “iCloud” in the “Apple ID” menu.

By default, Apple stores encryption keys for certain iCloud data types as photos on its own server so that they can be recovered via iCloud. With end-to-end encryption, this key is only stored on the user’s device, preventing others from viewing it. Users must therefore set up their own recovery method in case they lose their device or forget their passcode. For example, it is possible to set up a recovery contact or generate a 28-character recovery key.

Apple already used this kind of end-to-end encryption for 14 different types of data, including iMessage messages when iCloud backups are disabled, stored passwords in Keychain, and Health data. Advanced Data Protection expands that number to 23 categories, including photos, notes, voice memos, device backups, reminders, and Messages app backups. Data from the Mail, Contacts and Calendar apps is not end-to-end encrypted. Furthermore, from next week it will be possible to add a physical security key such as a YubiKey to an iCloud account.