iPhone iOS 16.3 update: Millions of iPhone users have been urged to download a new update to protect iCloud data

A new iPhone update could be the crucial difference to help Apple users protect their private pictures and texts.

The clever iPhone feature was only just added to Apple as part of the iOS 16.3 update that rolled out globally this week.

The advanced data protection feature helps protect users’ iCloud backups.

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Most iPhone users choose to automatically back up their iCloud content to ensure their personal data is not lost.

However, tech experts have warned in the past that if this data is not protected, it could fall into the wrong hands.

The normal iCloud backup system is called Standard Data Protection and works with encryption.

That means your data is unreadable unless you have the exact right “key”.

“The encryption keys of your trusted devices are backed up in Apple data centers,” Apple explains on its website.

“This allows Apple to decrypt your data on your behalf whenever you need it, e.g. B. when you sign in on a new device, restore from a backup or restore your data after you forgot your password.

“As long as you can successfully sign in with your Apple ID, you can access your backups, photos, documents, notes, and more.”

However, if someone gets your encryption keys, your data could be compromised.

This is where the new Extended Data Protection comes into play.

Once this feature is activated, no one can access your 23 different categories of data.

This makes it much more difficult for advanced hackers to access your iCloud.

Here is the full list of encrypted data types under Advanced Data Protection:

• Cloud backup (including device and message backup)
• iCloud drive
• photos
• Remarks
• Memories
• safari
• Siri Shortcuts
• voice memos
• wallet passes
• Passwords and keychain
• health data
• home data
• Messages in iCloud
• Payment Information
• Apple Card Transactions
• cards
• QuickType Keyboard Learned Vocabulary
• safari
• screen time
• Siri information
• WiFi passwords
• W1 and H1 Bluetooth keys
• Memoji

how to use

To use the feature, you need to make sure your iPhone has the latest update installed by going to Settings > General > Software update.

You also need to make sure you have set up account recovery by going to Settings > iCloud > Advanced Privacy.

Then tap Account Recovery to ensure your account is recoverable.

Once you have enabled account recovery, you can enable it Extended data protection.

This should greatly improve your privacy, especially if you have a lot of personal data stored in iCloud.