Apple’s next privacy change is happening behind the scenes
Apple’s next privacy change is happening behind the scenes
https://www.cultofmac.com/news/apples-next-privacy-change-happening-behind-the-scenes
Publish Date: 2026-06-16 03:41:00
Source Domain: www.cultofmac.com
Apple’s privacy-focused email services are getting a unified domain.
AI image: ChatGPT
From “later this summer,” Apple will use a unified domain for both Sign in with Apple and iCloud+ Hide My Email. The two services will use the private.icloud.com domain.
The change will only apply to email IDs generated in the future. Existing accounts will continue to work with the old domain.
New domain for Sign in with Apple and iCloud+ Hide My Email
Sign in with Apple allows you to log into third-party apps and websites using your Apple account. It masks your email address by using a new email address generated on the privaterelay.appleid.com domain.
As for iCloud+ Hide My Email, it lets you generate unique, random email addresses that you can use anywhere across the web, including sending emails. All emails received on the ID — created on the iCloud.com domain — are forwarded to your primary email account.
Later this year, Apple will switch to a unified domain for the two services: private.iCloud.com. While end users will not have to do anything, Apple requires developers to update their account systems, email validation logic and a few other changes.
Email service providers also need to update their “domain-based filtering, suppression lists, or routing rules that explicitly enumerate relay domains.”
Apple does not provide a clear timeline for when the change will come into effect, except for a vague “later this summer.” If anything, the company will possibly switch to the unified domain with the release of iOS 27 in September this year.
Do note that this is only a backend and visual change on Apple’s end. It will not affect how the two services work.
Apple did not explain the reason behind the move, but a unified domain should simplify things for both users and developers.
Instead of dealing with separate relay domains for Sign in with Apple and Hide My Email,…
