iCloud turns on automatically at device setup and stores your Content on Apple or third-party servers
iCloud is automatically enabled when you sign in with your Apple Account during setup of a device running iOS 9 or later, unless you are upgrading the device and previously chose not to enable iCloud. You can turn iCloud off in Settings. While iCloud is on, Apple automatically stores your Content on servers run by Apple or by third-party providers, so you can access it later or have it pushed to your other iCloud-enabled devices. Content is defined broadly: contacts, calendars, photos, notes, documents, app data, emails, device characteristics, messages and similar material generated or encountered through the Service.
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iCloud is automatically enabled when you are running devices on iOS 9 or later and sign in with your Apple Account (“Account,” previously referred to as “Apple ID”) during device setup, unless you are upgrading the device and have previously chosen not to enable iCloud.
You can disable iCloud in Settings.
When iCloud is enabled, your Content will be automatically stored by Apple on Apple's or third-party providers' servers, so you can later access that Content or have Content wirelessly pushed to your other iCloud-enabled devices or computers.
“Content” means any information that may be generated or encountered through use of the Service, such as contacts, calendars, photos, notes, reminders, documents, app data, emails, data files, device characteristics, written text, software, music, graphics, photographs, images, sounds, videos, messages and any other like materials.
Qualifications & exceptions
Automatic enabling applies to devices on iOS 9 or later when you sign in during setup; it does not apply when upgrading a device where you previously chose not to enable iCloud.
Storage happens only while iCloud is enabled; you can disable it in Settings.
Not stated here
The agreement does not name the third-party providers whose servers store Content.
Data Access & Collection · Company practice
iCloud Photos automatically uploads your photos, videos, metadata and edits and syncs them to your devices
When you turn on iCloud Photos, the photos, videos, metadata and any edits you make in the Photos app on your iOS device, Mac or Windows PC are automatically uploaded and stored in iCloud and then pushed to your other devices with iCloud Photos enabled. Resolution on a device may vary with its settings and available storage, but you can download full-resolution photos and videos at any time.
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When you enable iCloud Photos, your photos, videos, metadata and any edits that you make in the Photos App on your iOS device, macOS computer, or Windows PC will be automatically uploaded and stored in iCloud, and then pushed to all of your other iCloud Photos-enabled devices and computers.
The photo and video resolution may vary depending on your device settings and available storage. You may download full resolution photos and videos at any time.
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies only when you enable iCloud Photos.
Data Access & Collection · Company practice
HomeKit Secure Video stores home security camera footage in iCloud on supported plans
HomeKit Secure Video lets you store video from compatible home security cameras in iCloud and view it remotely. It requires a supported iCloud+ plan, a compatible HomeKit camera and a HomePod, Apple TV or iPad acting as a home hub. Some iCloud+ plans may limit the number of cameras or video streams.
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HomeKit Secure Video in iCloud+ allows you to store video from compatible home security cameras in iCloud and view your footage remotely.
HomeKit Secure Video requires a supported iCloud+ plan, compatible HomeKit-enabled security camera, and HomePod, Apple TV, or iPad running as a home hub. Certain iCloud+ plans may limit the number of cameras or video streams available to you.
Data Access & Collection · Permission or license
With two-factor authentication you consent to give a phone number and receive autodialed calls and texts
If two-factor authentication is enabled for your account, you consent to give Apple at least one phone number and to receive autodialed or prerecorded calls and text messages from Apple at any number you provide. Apple may use them to keep your account secure at sign-in, to help you get back in if you forget your password, or as otherwise necessary to service your account or enforce this agreement, its policies, applicable law or any other agreement with you.
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If Two-Factor Authentication for your Account is enabled, you consent to (a) provide Apple at least one telephone number; and (b) receive autodialed or prerecorded calls and text messages from Apple at any of the telephone numbers provided.
We may place such calls or texts to (i) help keep your Account secure when signing in; (ii) help you access your Account when you’ve forgotten your password; or (iii) as otherwise necessary to service your Account or enforce this Agreement, our policies, applicable law, or any other agreement we may have with you.
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies when two-factor authentication is enabled for your account.
Data Access & Collection · Company practice
Location-based features require Apple and its partners to collect your device location and identifiers
Apple and its partners and licensors may offer features that rely on your device's location from GPS or similar technology and crowdsourced Wi-Fi and cell tower locations. To provide them, they must collect, use, transmit, process and maintain your location data, including your device's geographic location and information about your account and its registered devices, such as device ID, name and type. You can withdraw consent at any time by not using location-based features and turning off Find My or Location Services. Web-only accounts do not have location-based services.
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Apple and its partners and licensors may provide certain features or services that rely upon device-based location information using GPS (or similar technology, where available) and crowdsourced Wi-Fi access points and cell tower locations.
To provide such features or services, where available, Apple and its partners and licensors must collect, use, transmit, process and maintain your location data, including but not limited to the geographic location of your device and information related to your Account and any devices registered thereunder, including but not limited to your device ID, name, and device type.
You may withdraw consent to Apple and its partners’ and licensors’ collection, use, transmission, processing and maintenance of location data at any time by not using the location-based features and turning off Find My (including the predecessor apps Find My iPhone and Find My Friends, collectively referred to as “Find My”), or Location Services in Settings (as applicable) on your device.
These include, for example, use of location-based services and payment of fees for iCloud storage upgrades.
Qualifications & exceptions
Applies where location-based features are available and used; consent can be withdrawn by turning off Find My or Location Services.
Location-based service terms do not apply to web-only accounts.
Not stated here
The agreement does not name the partners and licensors that receive location data.
Data Access & Collection · Company practice
Find My Network uses your device to detect nearby lost devices and report their location, end-to-end encrypted
Find My Network is a crowdsourcing feature. If it is on, your device can detect nearby offline devices over Bluetooth or similar technology and, when one is missing, report its approximate location over Wi-Fi or cellular back to the owner's account so the owner can see it in the Find My app. Apple says location reporting is end-to-end encrypted and that Apple cannot see the location of the reporting device or the offline device. You can turn Find My Network off in Settings.
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If Find My Network is enabled on a device, it can detect the presence of nearby offline devices via Bluetooth (or similar technologies).
If a device detects a missing offline device, it will use Wi-Fi or cellular connections to securely report the approximate location of the device back to the Account associated with the device so the owner can view its location in the Find My app.
Location reporting is end-to-end encrypted, and Apple cannot see the location of the reporting device or any offline device. You can disable Find My Network in Settings.
Data Access & Collection · Company practice
iCloud Backup automatically backs up iOS devices, including messages and Health app data
iCloud Backup periodically creates automatic backups of iOS devices when the device is locked, charging and on Wi-Fi. A backup may include device settings and characteristics, photos and videos, documents, messages, ringtones, Health app data and other app data. It does not include content bought from the iTunes Store, App Store or Apple Books, media synced from your computer, or your photo library if iCloud Photos is enabled.
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iCloud Backup periodically creates automatic backups for iOS devices, when the device is screen locked, connected to a power source, and connected to the Internet via a Wi-Fi network.
Backup may include device settings, device characteristics, photos and videos, documents, your messages, ringtones, Health app data and other app data.
The following content is not included in your iCloud backup: content purchased from the iTunes Store, App Store, or Apple Books, media synced from your computer, and your photo library if you have enabled iCloud Photo Library.
Data Access & Collection · Company practice
You must keep registration information accurate; Apple stores it to maintain and bill your account
You sign in with your email address and password. You agree to give accurate and complete information when registering and using the Service, called Service Registration Data, and to keep it up to date. Inaccurate, outdated or incomplete data may lead to suspension or termination of your account. Apple may store and use this data to maintain your account and bill fees to it.
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You agree to provide accurate and complete information when you register with, and as you use, the Service (“Service Registration Data”), and you agree to update your Service Registration Data to keep it accurate and complete.
Failure to provide accurate, current and complete Service Registration Data may result in the suspension and/or termination of your Account.
You agree that Apple may store and use the Service Registration Data you provide for use in maintaining and billing fees to your Account.
Qualifications & exceptions
The stated use of Service Registration Data is maintaining and billing your account.
Data Access & Collection · Permission or license
Public Beta is voluntary; Apple may use account and device information to enroll you and check eligibility
Apple may offer new or updated iCloud features as Beta Features in a Public Beta Program to get feedback on them. Participation is voluntary, and Apple is not obliged to provide any Beta Features. Apple may collect and use information from your account, devices and peripherals to enroll you in a program or decide whether you are eligible. Beta Features are governed by this agreement plus any separate license terms that come with them.
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You understand and agree that your participation in the Program is voluntary and does not create a legal partnership, agency, or employment relationship between you and Apple, and that Apple is not obligated to provide you with any Beta Features.
You understand and agree that Apple may collect and use information from your Account, devices and peripherals in order to enroll you in a Program and/or determine your eligibility to participate.
Your use of the Beta Features and participation in the Program is governed by this Agreement and any additional license terms that may separately accompany the Beta Features.
Qualifications & exceptions
The stated purpose of this collection is enrolling you and determining eligibility for a beta program.