Data security
iCloud secures your information by encrypting it when it's in transit and storing it in iCloud in an encrypted format. Many Apple services use end-to-end encryption, which means that only you can access your information, and only on trusted devices where you’re signed in with your Apple ID.
In some cases, your iCloud data may be stored using third-party partners’ servers—such as Amazon Web Services or Google Cloud Platform—but these partners don’t have the keys to decrypt your data stored on their servers.
End-to-end encryption
End-to-end encryption provides the highest level of data security. On each of your devices, the data that you store in iCloud and that's associated with your Apple ID is protected with a key derived from information unique to that device, combined with your device passcode which only you know. No one else, not even Apple, can access end-to-end encrypted information.
End-to-end encryption requires that you use two-factor authentication for your Apple ID and set a passcode on your device. Some features also require recent software, generally iOS 13 or later. With two-factor authentication, your account can be accessed only on devices you trust, like your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Keeping your software up to date, using two-factor authentication for your Apple ID, and protecting your device with a passcode—or password on Mac—Face ID, or Touch ID are the most important things that you can do to maintain the security of your devices and data.
Data types and encryption
Here's more detail on how iCloud protects your data.
| Data | Encryption | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Backup | In transit & on server | A minimum of 128-bit AES encryption |
| Calendars | In transit & on server | |
| Contacts | In transit & on server | |
| iCloud Drive | In transit & on server | |
| Notes | In transit & on server | |
| Photos | In transit & on server | |
| Reminders | In transit & on server | |
| Safari Bookmarks | In transit & on server | |
| Siri Shortcuts | In transit & on server | |
| Voice Memos | In transit & on server | |
| Wallet passes | In transit & on server | |
| iCloud.com | In transit | All sessions at iCloud.com are encrypted with TLS 1.2. Any data accessed via iCloud.com is encrypted on server as indicated in this table. |
| In transit | All traffic between your devices and iCloud Mail is encrypted with TLS 1.2. Consistent with standard industry practice, iCloud does not encrypt data stored on IMAP mail servers. All Apple email clients support optional S/MIME encryption. | |
| Apple Card transactions | End-to-end | |
| Health data | End-to-end |
Additional info below |
| Home data | End-to-end | |
| Keychain | End-to-end | Includes all of your saved accounts and passwords |
| Maps Favorites, Collections and search history | End-to-end | |
| Memoji | End-to-end | |
| Messages in iCloud | End-to-end | Additional info below |
| Payment information | End-to-end | |
| QuickType Keyboard learned vocabulary | End-to-end | |
| Safari History, Tab Groups, and iCloud Tabs | End-to-end | |
| Screen Time | End-to-end | |
| Siri information | End-to-end | Includes Siri settings and personalization, and if you have set up Hey Siri, a small sample of your requests |
| Wi-Fi passwords | End-to-end | |
| W1 and H1 Bluetooth keys |
End-to-end |
Additional information
iCloud Data Recovery Service
If you forget your password or device passcode, iCloud Data Recovery Service can help you decrypt your data so you can regain access to your photos, notes, documents, device backups, and more. Data types that are protected by end-to-end encryption—such as your Keychain, Messages, Screen Time, and Health data—are not accessible via iCloud Data Recovery Service. Your device passcodes, which only you know, are required to decrypt and access them. Only you can access this information, and only on devices where you're signed in to iCloud.
Messages in iCloud
For Messages in iCloud, if you have iCloud Backup turned on, your backup includes a copy of the key protecting your messages. This ensures you can recover your messages if you lose access to your Keychain and your trusted devices. When you turn off iCloud Backup, a new key is generated on your device to protect future messages and isn't stored by Apple.
Health data
If you back up your device on your Mac or iTunes, Health data is stored only if the backup is encrypted. Learn more about managing your Health data.
Privacy
Apple believes that privacy is a human right. Our Privacy Policy covers how we collect, use, disclose, transfer, and store your information. And in addition to adhering to the Apple Privacy Policy, Apple designs all iCloud features with your privacy in mind.
Learn more
Learn more about advanced security features in Apple products.