Hide My Email in iOS 15: New Features and Upgrades

Apple's iOS 15 significantly expands the Hide My Email privacy feature, transforming it from a limited login utility into a core component of the iCloud+ service. While previously tied exclusively to "Sign in with Apple," the updated functionality gives users system-wide control over their personal email privacy. This guide covers the major capabilities introduced to Hide My Email in iOS 15, including on-demand address creation, native app integration, and centralized address management.

System-Wide, On-Demand Address Generation

In iOS 15, Hide My Email is no longer restricted to third-party app sign-ups. As part of an iCloud+ subscription, users can generate unique, random @icloud.com email addresses at any time directly through the Settings app. These addresses automatically forward incoming messages to the user’s primary personal inbox without exposing the real address to senders.

Native Safari Integration

Safari in iOS 15 automatically integrates with Hide My Email. Whenever a user encounters an email input field on a website—such as an e-commerce checkout, newsletter signup, or forum registration—Safari offers a "Hide My Email" prompt above the keyboard. Selecting it instantly creates and inputs a new forwarding address on the fly.

Built-In Support for the Mail App

Users can compose new messages using a burner address directly within the native iOS Mail app. By tapping the "From" field when drafting an email, users can choose the "Hide My Email" option, which generates an alias for that specific thread. Any replies from the recipient route seamlessly through Apple's relay service back to the user's primary inbox, keeping the sender unaware of the recipient's true identity.

Labels and Custom Notes

To help track where aliases are shared, iOS 15 introduces label and note features. When creating an address, users can assign a specific name (such as the name of a merchant or service) and write custom notes. This makes it easy to remember the exact purpose of every generated address.

Comprehensive Alias Management

iOS 15 provides a dedicated management dashboard located in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Hide My Email. From this menu, users can:

  • View every generated address currently active on their account.
  • Search addresses by label or note.
  • Change the designated forwarding inbox where emails are delivered.
  • Deactivate or reactivate specific addresses to stop unwanted spam instantly without deleting the account associated with the service.