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How Much Is iCloud+? Price, Storage Options & Benefits Explained
Earlier this year, at the WWDC conference, Apple announced iCloud+ — a premium version of its iCloud service that brings some new features to the table. In essence, the new tier offers everything that the free version of iCloud offers, but for the extra few dollars, iCloud+ provides additional storage and features like iCloud Private Relay (beta), Hide My Email and HomeKit Secure Video support.
In the most basic terms, iCloud is a Google Drive or Dropbox equivalent that not only offers a cloud-based storage solution but also ties to a ton of other Apple services by syncing and storing everything from calendar entries and emails to contacts and files across multiple devices. Even though it works great with Apple ID at its heart, Apple now wants to offer even more features to users who are willing to pay for them, and the result of that endeavor is iCloud+.
The iCloud+ service is divided across three tiers, primarily depending upon the storage need of users. As a reminder, the basic iCloud service offers 5GB of free cloud storage. In the US, the cheapest tier of iCloud+ bumps the storage capacity to 50GB. Plus, it adds HomeKit Secure Video support for one camera so that people can connect a smart camera recording footage and allow remote viewing on phones. The next tier offers 200GB of cloud storage and enables HomeKit Secure Video for up to 5 cameras. Finally, the top-tier plan of iCloud+ allows 2TB of storage and lifts the cap on the number of cameras that one can add to a HomeKit Secure Video network.
IClouds+ Offers More Security-Centric Tricks
As for the pricing, the basic iCloud+ plan with 50GB cloud storage costs $0.99 per month, while the 200GB will set buyers back by $2.99 each month. As for the 2TB plan, it is priced at $9.99 each month. With each iCloud plan, Apple allows sharing with up to five family members.
But the more notable benefits of iCloud+ are iCloud Private Relay, Hide My Email and a custom email domain for users. Currently, in beta state, iCloud Private Relay is somewhat like a VPN service. When enabled in Safari, it hides digital footprints such as DNS records and IP addresses by enabling encryption and using two private relays — one of which is operated by Apple. Hide My Email is a service that generates unique, random email addresses that forward all messages to users’ inboxes while keeping their personal email addresses private. The last iCloud+ perk is Custom Email Domain, which allows users to create up to five custom domains for sending and receiving emails with iCloud Mail. This custom domain can also be used on any device signed in with one’s Apple ID and enabling iCloud Mail. And just like a regular email, it can be used for Messages, FaceTime, Calendar, and other services.
