Users are currently facing issues with Apple’s iCloud Private Relay service, which is affecting web browsing on Apple devices. The problem was acknowledged by Apple via the System status website, and it began on July 26.
The iCloud Private Relay service, introduced in June 2021 as part of Apple’s iOS 15 update and iCloud+, routes all user internet requests through two separate, secure internet relay services. This two-step process ensures that user online activities remain private, with Apple unable to track them.
Although similar to VPNs, iCloud Private Relay and VPNs are distinct tools. An outage in iCloud Private Relay can impact users’ web browsing experience due to Apple’s control over internet access. Apple is actively working on resolving the issue and users can temporarily disable iCloud Private Relay by navigating to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > and turning off the toggle in the Private Relay section if they encounter browsing issues.
It’s worth noting that the outage of the iCloud Private Relay feature currently does not affect free iCloud users, as it is an additional feature included in the iCloud+ subscription package.