Engadget Logo Japanese version Should iPhone users pay for life? The "plus" part of iCloud +

Apple has announced at WWDC that it will update iCloud's paid options to a service called iCloud +, offering additional features other than storage.

Related: WWDC21 summary in 5 minutes

Paid iCloud users will be automatically updated to iCloud +. Prices are unchanged (50GB is 130 yen / month, 200GB is 400 yen / month, 2TB is 1300 yen / month), and Apple One users who have assembled Apple subscriptions can also use the additional functions of iCloud +.

iCloud storage provides 5GB for free, and it seems that some users were charged only when migrating data at the time of model change, but in iOS 15, iCloud storage will be temporarily increased when migrating data. It was decided.

Related: iOS 15 increases iCloud storage only during data migration

If you only use it as a photo storage service, there are other options such as Google and Amazon. From the added features announced, you need to decide whether iCloud + should be used.

The main additional features of iCloud + are:

Hide my email

You may hesitate to enter your main email address, such as for one-time shopping at sites that require e-mail newsletter registration or membership registration. This function is a function that can have multiple email addresses randomly generated before @, apart from the main email of iCloud. It's a so-called "disposable ad". In many cases, it is intentionally difficult to understand, such as unsubscribing from the e-mail newsletter, but if you no longer need it, you can easily delete the entire email address. It can be managed with Apple's standard email app. The mechanism for using a fake iCloud account is also provided in "Sign in with Apple", but it can only be used with compatible apps and websites, whereas iCloud + fake addresses can be used with any app or site. The point is different.

iCloud Private Relay

The name of the virtual shield that works when browsing the web, preventing third parties from tracking your browsing history. It hides the IP address and service provider information by going through two companies, Apple and a third party, using the IP address as an identifier. In the keynote speech of WWDC, it was emphasized that it was "different from VPN", but it is characterized by being implemented in a way that is more secure and does not affect browsing speed at all.

HomeKit Secure Video Support

The number of surveillance cameras that can be displayed via HomeKit is unlimited (the capacity that can be stored is unknown). HomeKit itself isn't used much in Japan yet, but compatible cameras are on the market.

Account recovery

You will be able to request your family and friends to regain access to iCloud data. Two-factor authentication will fly to the recovery contact registered in advance, and it does not allow access to your account itself. It means that there will be one more way to recover your account. It seems to be useful for supporting parents and others.

Digital Legacy Program

You can set up a legacy contact, or "data heir" (for example, if you already have a family co-owner). The photo library can be said to be a proof that the person was alive. It is a function that takes care so that they will not be lost forever.

Related: Announcement of Digital Legacy Program to entrust post-mortem accounts

The above additional functions are not "just right now", but there is no doubt that they will be convenient and reassuring. There may be price increases (or price reductions) in the future, but the minimum plan is 1560 yen per year, and even in 50 years it is less than 80,000 yen, so if you continue to use the iPhone, iCloud + should be used. ..