How to turn on Advanced Data Protection on an iPhone

2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

With Advanced Data Protection, most of what you keep in iCloud, including your backup, photos and notes, is end-to-end encrypted. Only your own devices hold the keys. Not even Apple can read the data, and nobody who breaks into Apple's servers can either.

The pictures are simplified diagrams of the iPhone screens, not screenshots, so yours will look a little different.

Step by step

1. Update all your devices

   Every device signed in to your Apple Account needs recent software: iOS 16.2, macOS 13.1, watchOS 9.2 or later. Older devices have to be updated or removed from the account.

   Done

2. Open Settings, tap your name, then iCloud

   Your name is at the top of Settings.

   Done

3. Scroll down and tap Advanced Data Protection

   It is near the bottom of the iCloud page.

   Done

4. Set up account recovery

   Tap Account Recovery and add a recovery contact, a person you trust who can help you back in, or create a recovery key, a long code you keep somewhere safe.

   Done

5. Tap Turn On Advanced Data Protection

   Follow the steps and enter your passcode. It then applies to your whole account, on every device.

   Done

Good to know

If you lose your devices and your recovery contact or key, your data is gone. Apple cannot restore it. Take the recovery step seriously.

iCloud Mail, Contacts and Calendar are not included, because they have to work with other email and calendar systems.

Access to your data on iCloud.com is switched off by default. You can allow it again in the same settings, and then approve each sign-in from a trusted device.

Child accounts and accounts managed by a school or employer cannot use it. You can turn it off again at any time on the same page.

In short: Settings, your name, iCloud, Advanced Data Protection, set up recovery, Turn On.