Apple decides to keep Hide My Email addresses on iCloud.com
New email addresses will be issued from private.icloud.com domain
1Domain change
Apple announced that new Hide My Email addresses for Sign in with Apple service will be issued from private.icloud.com domain. Previously issued addresses from privaterelay.appleid.com will continue to work. This change will take effect in late 2023. Users won't experience any interruption in email forwarding services.
2Feedback impact
Apple's original plan was to completely migrate Hide My Email addresses to the new domain. However, after reviewing community feedback from users and developers, the company reconsidered its decision. Existing addresses will remain on iCloud.com. This move aims to prevent potential disruptions in user experience.
3Developer alert
Apple warned owners of apps and websites with Sign in with Apple integration. Their systems need to be updated to accept both privaterelay.appleid.com and the new private.icloud.com domains. Email validation logic and allowlists must support both domains to ensure seamless operation.
4Privacy feature
Hide My Email is an exclusive privacy feature for iCloud+ subscribers. It allows users to communicate without sharing their real email addresses. Randomly generated addresses can be disabled when needed. This feature significantly reduces spam and tracking risks for Apple users.
5Integration process
According to Apple's team, the domain transition will be gradual. The company plans to give developers sufficient time to update their systems. Testing the new domain in development environments and identifying potential issues beforehand is strongly recommended.
6User impact
Existing Hide My Email users don't need to take any action. All addresses and forwarding will continue to work as before. Although newly created addresses will appear under a different domain, there will be no change in user experience. Apple aims to preserve user habits with this decision.
7Security advantage
Hide My Email service helps users remain anonymous on online platforms. Even if email addresses get leaked, real identities remain protected. This Apple service is among the most popular features of iCloud+. The domain change won't affect the security level of the service.
8Industry position
Apple's move strengthens its position in the digital privacy tools market. Features like Hide My Email demonstrate the company's commitment to user privacy. Despite competitors offering similar services, Apple's ecosystem integration provides a significant advantage. This decision is crucial for maintaining user loyalty.