Apple’s iCloud Private Relay is a privacy feature that comes with iCloud Plus in iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS Monterey. It is designed to protect your browsing activities in Safari and prevent networks and websites from gathering information about you. Private Relay works by separating your IP address and browsing activity between two different internet relays, providing a more secure browsing experience.
Without Private Relay, networks and websites can easily track your IP address, your device, and your location. They can also build a digital profile of your browsing activity, which can put your privacy at risk. By using Private Relay, you can browse the web more privately and securely.
Private Relay connects your device to the website you want to visit through an innovative internet relay system. The first internet relay only knows your IP address, not the website you want to visit. The second internet relay only knows the website you’re visiting, not your original IP address. Instead, it assigns you a new Private Relay IP address that only shows your general location, like the city you’re in. This way, there is no point during your browsing activity where your identity can be combined with your IP address, ensuring your privacy is protected.
To turn on Private Relay, open Settings, tap your name, tap iCloud, then tap Private Relay, and turn it on. When using Safari, Private Relay is always on and transparent, protecting your browsing activity without you noticing any difference. However, Private Relay is not available in all countries or regions, and some websites may require extra steps to sign in or access content.
If you want to turn Private Relay off, go to Settings, tap your name, tap iCloud, then tap Private Relay, and turn it off. Once you turn it off, your browsing activity will no longer be protected by Private Relay.
In conclusion, Private Relay is an excellent feature for anyone who values their online privacy. By using it, you can browse the web more securely and privately, without worrying about networks or websites tracking your activity. However, if you need to access content on websites that require your IP address, you may need to turn Private Relay off.