What Is Advanced Data Protection and How to Enable It: Guide
Apple recently introduced a new feature in iOS 16.2 called Advanced Data Protection. The feature is aimed to give users better security and more control over how their data is handled. It is Apple’s most promising security feature to date. Let’s have a deeper understanding of what Advanced Data Protection actually is and how to use Advanced Data Protection on our iPhones.
Note:At the time of introduction, Advanced Data Protection was only available to USA users. But now it has been made available for Indian users also. Please update your iPhone or iPad to get access to this feature and then proceed with the steps to activate it on your device.
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What Is Advanced Data Protection
Whenever an iPhone user stores his/her data on iCloud, it is prone to attack by malicious hackers. The data may include sensitive photos and videos, contacts, messages, health data, keychain passwords, and much more. This is where Advanced Data Protection comes to the rescue. Advanced Data Protection provides end-to-end encryption to the “vast majority” (why vast majority and not all, more on that below) of most sensitive iCloud data which can only be decrypted on your trusted Apple devices i.e, your iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Thus providing the utmost security to user data.
In case you’re wondering, iCloud already protects 14 sensitive data i.e, passwords in keychain, health data, payment information, messages in iCloud, Apple card transactions, Home data, and much more by providing end-to-end encryption. But the Advanced Data Protection is expanding the list from 14 to 23. Now, turning it on will also encrypt your iCloud backups, Photos, Notes, Voice memos, etc. Here is thefull list of servicesthat are encrypted under Advanced Data Protection.
So what does “vast majority” of data mean? Apple uses that phrase because some data likeiCloud Mail, Contacts, and Calendar need to interoperate with the global email, contacts, and calendar systems. So encrypting such data might result in an unwanted user experience.
How Does Advanced Data Protection Work
Let’s first understand how Apple’s Standard Data Protection works in order to get a hold of Advanced Data Protection. For anything that uses Apple’s Standard Data Protection first, the data gets encrypted and then a key is generated. Then the data and its keys both are stored in Apple’s iCloud server. So if someone with ill intentions gets access to Apple’s iCloud server might abuse your sensitive data, as both the keys and data are stored in the same place.
But Advanced Data Protection works in a different fashion. It sends end-to-end encrypted data to iCloud which can be decrypted only on your trusted devices i.e, where your private keys are stored. So even if someone gets a hold of Apple’s iCloud server, all they will get is a big pile of a jigsaw puzzle that only you have the keys to solve.
Important Stuff Related to Advanced Data Protection
Advanced Data Protection is an added layer of security for iCloud. Due to this, even Apple can’t peek into your data which can create a problem while recovering data from a locked-out iCloud account. To deal with such unpleasant situations, you need to consider three things so that you’re able to never get locked out of your device.
How to Enable the Advanced Data Protection
To use Advanced Data Protection, you need to set a Recovery Contact or turn on the Recovery Key on your iPhone first. you may choose to go with either one of them or may enable both, in case one doesn’t work out for you in the future. First, let’s look at the steps to enable Advanced Data Protection by adding a Recovery Contact.
1. Turn on Advanced Data Protection by Adding a Recovery Contact
1.OpenSettingson your iPhone and tap onname/Apple ID.
2.Tap oniCloudto begin.
3.Now tap onAdvanced Data Protection.
4.Tap onTurn on Advanced Data Protection.
5.On the next page tap onSet Up Account Recovery.
Note:This step is for those who haven’t set up their Account Recovery yet. If you have already set up the Recovery contact or Recovery key on your iPhone, then skip to step 14.
6.On the Account Recovery page tap onAdd Recovery Contact.
Note:If you want to proceed with Recovery Key, we will cover steps for later.
7.Tap onAdd Recovery Contact.
8.Type the name of the person whom you want to add as a Recovery Contact. It might be yoursiblings, spouse, family, friends, etc. Once thecontactof the person appears, tap on it to select it.
Pro Tip:Select someone from your contact list whom you trust the most and who is easily available to you in case you need their help in the future for resetting the password of your Apple ID.
9.Now tap onAddto proceed further.
10.On the next screen it will ask you to send a message to the Recovery Contact. Tap onSendto notify them, so that they can accept your invitation.
11.Tap onDoneand wait for the person to accept the request for your Recovery Contact.
12.Once the person accepts your request, you’ll get a notification and then you’re able to proceed to the next step.
13.Tap on theApple IDto go back to the Apple ID settings page.
14.Now tap oniCloud.
15.On the iCloud page scroll down and tap onAdvanced Data Protection.
16.Tap onTurn On Advanced Data Protection.
17.Tap onReview Recovery Methods.
18.Review the Recovery Contacts and tap onContinueto proceed further.
19.Enter your iPhonepasscode/password.
20.Advanced Data Protection has now been turned on for your iCloud. Tap onDoneand now you can continue using your iPhone like usual.
Must Read:12+ Exciting Things You Can Do With the Dynamic Islandon your iPhone 14 Pro.
2. Turn on Advanced Data Protection by Adding a Recovery Key
Maybe you don’t want to choose a contact as your Recovery Contact backup. In that case, you may also proceed by adding a Recovery Key to your Apple ID. Let’s look at the steps to enable Advanced Data Protection by adding a Recovery Key.
Note:Please take a look above atsteps 1 to 4to navigate to the Advanced Data Protection page or go toSettings > Name/Apple ID > iCloud > Advanced Data Protection. Once there, continue from step 1 below.
1.Once on the Advanced Data Protection page, tapTurn On Advanced Data Protection.
2.Tap onSet Up Account Recovery.
3.On the Account Recovery page, tap onRecovery Key.
4.Tap on thetoggleright next to the Recovery Key option.
5.On the pop-up menu tap onUse Recovery Key.
6.Enter your iPhone’spasscode/passwordon the next screen.
7.ARecovery Keywill be generated in front of you, pleasenote it downon a notepad or take a quick screenshot.
Note:We would suggest you note it down or take a printout of the screenshot, just don’t leave it on the iPhone. Otherwise, in case you get locked up, you will lose access to your Recovery Key.
8.Type your recently generated Recovery Key to verify it and then tap onNext.
9.Tap onBack.
10.Tap onApple IDto go back. You have successfully generated a Recovery Key for your Apple ID. Now let’s go back to Apple ID and enable Advanced Data Protection.
11.On the Apple ID page tap oniCloud.
12.Tap onAdvanced Data Protection.
13.Tap onTurn On Advanced Data Protection.
14.Now tap onReview Recovery Methods.
15.Enter the Recovery Key you just noted down, and then tap onNext.
16.Enter your iPhone’spasscode/password.
17.Tap onDone. Voila! Advanced Data Protection has now been turned on for your iCloud. All the data stored on your iCloud will be end-to-end encrypted from now on.
Also Read:How to Take and Highlight a Screenshot on Mac.
- Can I enable Advanced Data Protection on my iPad, as I don’t have an iPhone?
Yes, you’re able to. In fact, the steps for the iPad are mostly identical to the iPhone that we shared above. Just follow the above-mentioned guide thoroughly and you’ll be able to enable it on your iPad in no time.
- Why Advanced Data Protection is not available in my country/region yet? When will it be available on my device?
Apple hasn’t specified a reason why they haven’t rolled it out globally yet. This feature is currently available in the US and will be made available to the rest of the world in early 2023. Advanced Data Protection will be made available in China too.
- I have some devices linked to my Apple ID, and Advanced Data Protection is saying to remove those devices, what to do?
If you have some old devices that are linked with the same Apple ID, try updating them first to their latest OS. If the device can’t be updated you need to remove those devices from your Apple ID in order to fully enjoy the safety of Advanced Data Protection.
Advanced Data Protection: One Step Forward
Advances Data Protection is a step in the right direction and further strengthens iCloud security. Now you can store all types of data from your Apple devices and they will be end-to-end encrypted. Not even Apple can have a look at your data and if theiCloud servers are hacked, the hacker won’t have access to the decryption key. I hope this guide was helpful to you in understanding the need for Advanced Data Protection and enabling it on your device.
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Subham Raj
Subham is a tech enthusiast and a has knack for writing, he also has a deep love for filmmaking. He is currently working as a full-time Technical writer at TechWiser and his roots are from Samastipur, Bihar.
