What is iCloud Private Relay and how do you use it?
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Kamso Oguejiofor-Abugu
Whenever you browse the web, your internet provider can usually see which sites you visit, and those sites can use your IP address to see where you’re connecting from. Over time, that gives both sides a clearer picture of your location and habits than they really need.
iCloud Private Relay is an iCloud+ privacy feature designed to limit how much websites and network providers can learn from your browsing.
When you use Safari, it hides your original IP address from websites in Safari and encrypts your Safari traffic, so your network provider sees less of your browsing activity. It isn’t the same as a VPN, and it doesn’t let you choose a different country from where you currently are.
Below is a clear look at how Private Relay works in practice, what it does and doesn’t shield, and how to get it running on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
What is iCloud Private Relay?
iCloud Private Relay is a privacy feature included with an iCloud+ subscription. It helps prevent your ISP or network provider—and anyone monitoring your network—from seeing the websites you visit in Safari. It also hides your IP address from those websites.
This makes it harder for companies to build a detailed picture of what you do online and use that information for targeted advertising.
Private Relay sends protected traffic through two separate relays before it reaches a website or service. The first step sees your IP address, but not the website you’re visiting. The second step sees the website you’re headed to, but doesn’t see your original IP address.
Because neither step holds both pieces of information, no single party, not even Apple, can easily match your identity with the pages you visit.
Private Relay is available on supported Apple devices, although it isn’t available in every country or region. It works over both Wi-Fi and cellular connections, so you can use it when browsing on your home network, public Wi-Fi, or mobile data.
What does Private Relay protect?
iCloud Private Relay protects Safari browsing, the background lookups used to find website addresses, and some older, unencrypted connections from apps. It does not protect every browser, app, and connection on your device.
How to turn on iCloud Private Relay
Turning on Private Relay takes a minute, and you’ll need to do it separately on each Mac, iPhone, or iPad you use.
On a Mac:
- Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings.
- Click your name at the top of the sidebar. If you aren’t signed in yet, select Sign in and enter your Apple Account details first.
- Select iCloud.
- Select Private Relay, switch it on, and click Done.
On iPhone or iPad:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap your name near the top. (If you aren’t signed in, tap Sign in and enter your Apple Account details first.)
- Tap iCloud.
- Tap Private Relay and toggle it on.
Which IP address location setting should you choose?
When you turn on iCloud Private Relay, you can choose how much detail websites get about where you are. You’ll see two options:
- Maintain general location: This keeps your broader area visible to websites. It works well if you want local search results, weather forecasts, and nearby business listings to stay accurate without giving away your exact neighborhood.
- Use country and time zone: This offers a bit more privacy by using a broader location based on your country and time zone. Websites can still provide regional content, but the relay location is less precise and does not identify your city or town.
How to turn off iCloud Private Relay
You can turn off Private Relay in the same settings where you turned it on. It’s worth noting that you often don’t need to turn it off everywhere. If a specific website or internet connection is acting up, you can usually turn the feature off for just that one spot.
Pausing Private Relay temporarily makes sense if:
- A website needs your IP address or network identity to sign you in or show its content.
- You’re connected to a work or school network that manages or restricts internet access.
- A household network setup or parental control tool doesn’t work smoothly alongside it.
- You’re trying to figure out why your internet connection is acting up and want to rule Private Relay out.
Turn off Private Relay for a website
If a website doesn’t work properly with Private Relay, you can temporarily allow it to see your IP address while keeping Private Relay on everywhere else:
On iPhone or iPad:
- Open the website in Safari.
- Tap the Page Menu button.
- Tap Show IP Address.
On Mac:
- Open the website in Safari.
- Click View in the top-left corner of your screen.
- Select Reload and Show IP Address.
Just remember that when you do this, your ISP will be able to see that you’re visiting that page.
Turn off Private Relay for a network
If a connection at home, work, or on mobile data is running slowly or blocking your access, you can turn off Private Relay for just that connection. Private Relay will stay active whenever you connect to other networks.
On iPhone or iPad over Wi-Fi:
- Open the Settings app and tap Wi-Fi.
- Tap the More Info button (the “i” icon) next to the Wi-Fi network.
- Turn off Limit IP Address Tracking.
On iPhone over cellular data:
- Go to Settings > Cellular.
- Under SIMs, tap your primary phone number. On iOS 18 or earlier, tap Cellular Data Options.
- Turn off Limit IP Address Tracking.
On Mac with macOS Ventura or later:
- Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings.
- Click Network in the sidebar, then select the network service you’re using, such as Wi-Fi.
- Click Details next to the network you’re connected to.
- Turn off Limit IP address tracking.
Turn off Private Relay completely
If you’d prefer to shut Private Relay down entirely across your device, you can turn it off in your iCloud settings:
On iPhone or iPad:
- Open Settings and tap your name at the top.
- Tap iCloud > Private Relay.
- Toggle off Private Relay and tap Turn Off Private Relay to confirm.
- You can also choose Turn Off Until Tomorrow if you only want to disable it temporarily. Private Relay will turn back on automatically within 24 hours.
On Mac:
- Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings.
- Click your name, then click iCloud.
- Click Private Relay.
- Turn off Private Relay and click Turn Off Private Relay when prompted.
- You can also choose Turn Off Until Tomorrow if you only want to disable it temporarily. Private Relay will turn back on automatically within 24 hours.
What to do when Private Relay is unavailable
If you see a Private Relay unavailable message, the problem may be related to your connection, account, region, or network settings. Try these fixes:
- Check your internet connection: Make sure your Mac, iPhone, or iPad has a working Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
- Check your iCloud+ subscription: Private Relay requires an active iCloud+ subscription, and you need to be signed in to your Apple Account.
- Consider location limits: If you’re traveling, keep in mind that Private Relay pauses automatically in countries it isn’t supported in. It will turn back on as soon as you return to a supported region.
- Try another network: Your current Wi-Fi, cellular network, work network, or school network may restrict Private Relay.
- Check for service outages: Disruption sometimes happens on Apple’s side. Before changing any deeper settings, view Apple’s System Status page to make sure Private Relay services are running normally.
- Check third-party network software: If you use a VPN or internet-filtering app, temporarily disable it to see whether Private Relay reconnects.
- Keep your system up to date: Install the latest available version of macOS, iOS, or iPadOS, then try Private Relay again.
- Restart your device: A simple restart may resolve temporary connection problems.
- Check your network’s privacy toggle: If Private Relay only stops working on one network, check its Limit IP Address Tracking setting.
Is iCloud Private Relay good?
If you subscribe to iCloud+, browse primarily with Safari, and want to keep websites from tracking your IP address, Private Relay is a helpful tool to enable. It’s easy to set up, runs quietly in the background, and adds a meaningful layer of privacy without complex settings.
A few practical boundaries are worth keeping in mind, though:
- It primarily protects browsing in Safari rather than providing device-wide coverage across all browsers, apps, and connections.
- You can’t manually pick a specific country or city location to connect through.
- It won’t block malware, prevent phishing, or replace dedicated security software on your device.
These boundaries don’t make iCloud Private Relay less useful. They simply mean it’s built for a focused job rather than full system protection. Knowing where its protection starts and stops helps you use it better.
Is Private Relay the same as a VPN?
Not quite. iCloud Private Relay and a VPN both improve online privacy, but they work differently and cover different parts of your internet activity. Here’s a quick look at the key differences:
| Feature | iCloud Private Relay | VPN |
| Scope | Primarily protects Safari browsing, website address lookups, and some older, unencrypted app traffic | Helps protect traffic from most browsers and apps, not just Safari |
| Availability | Comes with paid iCloud+ plans | Requires a separate app or subscription |
| Location | Offers two options for how precise your IP-based location appears | Depending on the provider, lets you choose specific cities or countries for your connection |
| Devices | Works exclusively on Apple devices | Works across Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android, and other systems, depending on the provider |
| Setup | Quietly runs in the background with almost nothing to set up | Gives you detailed control over security and connection settings |
Choosing between the two mostly comes down to how much of your online activity you want to cover. If you primarily browse the web using Safari on your Apple devices, Private Relay provides solid, low-effort privacy.
If you frequently use public Wi-Fi, travel often, or want broader coverage across browsers and apps such as banking and messaging, a VPN may be a better fit.
Intego VPN, included with Intego ONE Complete, adds broader privacy coverage when you’re checking email at an airport, using banking apps in a hotel, or browsing outside Safari.
FAQ
Is iCloud Private Relay free?
No, iCloud Private Relay isn’t free. It’s included with an iCloud+ subscription for supported regions.
Does iCloud Private Relay work with Chrome?
No. iCloud Private Relay doesn’t protect browsing in Chrome or other third-party browsers the way it protects Safari. It mainly protects Safari, along with website address lookups and some older, unencrypted app connections.
Can I use iCloud Private Relay and a VPN at the same time?
Yes, but running both can cause connectivity issues. If that happens, disable Private Relay while the VPN is active.
Does iCloud Private Relay slow down the internet?
It can, but the effect varies. Private Relay routes your connection through two relays, so some pages may respond a little more slowly depending on your network and location.
