Apple Keeps Hide My Email on iCloud Amid Domain Shift
- Apple has confirmed iCloud+ Hide My Email addresses will remain on icloud.com following a review of community feedback.
- New Sign in with Apple addresses will be issued on private.icloud.com rather than privaterelay.appleid.com, though existing addresses will continue to work without interruption.
- Developers using Sign in with Apple must update their allowlists and email validation logic to accept the new private.icloud.com domain.
Apple has confirmed that iCloud+ Hide My Email addresses will remain on icloud.com, reversing an earlier trajectory after the company reviewed community feedback — a development that will reassure subscribers who rely on the service to shield their primary addresses from third parties.
A domain migration, but not for Hide My Email
The announcement draws a clear operational distinction between two related but separate services. Starting later in 2026, newly created Sign in with Apple addresses — previously issued under the privaterelay.appleid.com domain — will instead be issued under a new private.icloud.com domain. Apple has stated that existing addresses on privaterelay.appleid.com will continue to work and forward mail to users without interruption, meaning no action is required from end users with established relay addresses.
Developers face an update requirement
The domain change does, however, carry an obligation for developers whose applications or websites integrate Sign in with Apple. Apple is directing them to ensure that their account systems, email validation logic, and domain allowlists are updated to accept addresses at the new private.icloud.com domain in addition to the existing privaterelay.appleid.com domain. Developers who do not update their systems risk rejecting legitimate relay addresses presented by users. The precise rollout date beyond the broad framing of "later this year" has not been confirmed. For users concerned about the reach of their digital footprint — a subject of growing debate in discussions around smartphone privacy features — Apple's decision to keep Hide My Email anchored to icloud.com offers a degree of continuity, even as parts of the underlying relay infrastructure evolve.
