Enable iCloud Advanced Data Protection in macOS 13

Apple’s Advanced Data Protection for iCloud expands end-to-end encryption to the majority of your iCloud data, including iCloud Backups, Photos, Notes, and Drive files. This guide provides a direct, step-by-step walkthrough on how to prepare your Apple ID and turn on Advanced Data Protection using a Mac running macOS 13 (Ventura).

Prerequisites Before Enabling

Before turning on Advanced Data Protection, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Update Your Devices: Every device signed in to your Apple ID must run macOS 13.1 or later, iOS 16.2 or later, iPadOS 16.2 or later, watchOS 9.2 or later, and tvOS 16.2 or later. Unsupported or older devices must be removed from your account.
  • Two-Factor Authentication: Two-factor authentication must be enabled for your Apple ID.
  • Account Recovery Setup: Because Apple will no longer hold the keys to decrypt your data, you must configure at least one alternative recovery method: a Recovery Contact or a 28-character Recovery Key.

Step 1: Set Up an Account Recovery Method

If you have not already configured an account recovery method, do so first:

  1. Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner and select System Settings.
  2. Click your Name (Apple ID) at the top of the sidebar.
  3. Select Sign-In & Security (or Password & Security).
  4. Click Account Recovery.
  5. Under Recovery Assistance, set up either a Recovery Contact (a trusted friend or family member) or generate a Recovery Key (store this in a safe place, as losing it can result in permanent data loss).

Step 2: Turn On Advanced Data Protection

Once account recovery is in place, you can activate the feature:

  1. Open the Apple menu () and select System Settings.
  2. Click your Name (Apple ID) at the top of the sidebar.
  3. Select iCloud in the main pane.
  4. Scroll down to the bottom of the list and click Advanced Data Protection.
  5. Click the Turn On button.
  6. Review the on-screen prompts explaining the recovery process and click Set Up Account Recovery if prompted, or proceed if already configured.
  7. Enter your Mac’s administrator password and the passcodes of your other trusted Apple devices when prompted to verify encryption keys.

Once the setup is complete, Advanced Data Protection will be active across your Apple ID and all compatible devices connected to it.