Apple Will Check Public iCloud Links in iOS 27.3: What Changes and How to Share Privately
Starting in iOS 27.3, iCloud items shared with 'Anyone with the link' will be checked by Apple and aren't end-to-end encrypted. How to share privately.
Key takeaways
- Starting in iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS version 27.3, items shared using "Anyone with the link" in iCloud Photos or iCloud Drive will be checked by Apple for harmful content, according to Apple Support.
- Such items are no longer end-to-end encrypted, even if the owner or participants have turned on Advanced Data Protection, Apple Support states.
- If content is flagged, Apple reserves the right to move, refuse, modify, remove or delete it and may take action against the Apple Account, including blocking or disabling it or involving law enforcement, per Apple Support.
- Items shared with "People you choose" continue to support Advanced Data Protection when enabled, according to Apple Support's iCloud data security overview.
- Apple has not defined what "harmful content" means or explained its review process, Bitdefender reports.
Starting in iOS 27.3, items you share in iCloud Photos or iCloud Drive using "Anyone with the link" will be checked by Apple for harmful content, and they won't be end-to-end encrypted.
Apple Support published a new page explaining the change, "Learn more about sharing content that can be accessed by Anyone with the Link," on its website in November 2026. The policy applies to version 27.3 or later of iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS. Version 27.3 is currently in developer beta with a public release expected in December, MacRumors reported on November 4, 2026.
If you share an iCloud item with Share a Link, you can choose "People you choose" (only people you invite or approve can access it) or "Anyone with the link" (accessible to anyone with the link, including Apple). Starting in version 27.3, items shared using Anyone with the Link will be checked by Apple for harmful content. Such items are no longer end-to-end encrypted, even if the owner or participants have turned on Advanced Data Protection, according to Apple Support.
If content is flagged, Apple reserves the right to move, refuse, modify, remove or delete it. Apple may take action against the Apple Account, including blocking or disabling it, blocking new accounts with the same email or phone number, or, if necessary, involving law enforcement, per the support document.
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Last updated: November 5, 2026
What is Apple checking?
Apple does not define "harmful content" in the support document. MacRumors reported on November 4, 2026 that it could mean malware, malicious files or CSAM given the law-enforcement mention, but MacRumors labels this as interpretation, not Apple's statement.
Bitdefender reported in November 2026 that Apple has not defined harmful content or explained its review process (automated, human or both), or how users could challenge an incorrect flag.
What sharing is affected?
The policy applies to items shared in iCloud Photos or iCloud Drive using "Anyone with the link," according to Apple Support.
Items shared with "People you choose" are not mentioned in the policy and continue to support Advanced Data Protection when enabled, per Apple Support's iCloud data security overview.
Apple has not stated whether links created before version 27.3 will be checked, MacRumors reported on November 4, 2026.
What about end-to-end encryption?
Items shared with "anyone with the link" do not support Advanced Data Protection, according to Apple Support's "iCloud data security overview" page. Encryption keys for such shared content are uploaded to Apple data centers so iCloud can facilitate web sharing.
Starting in version 27.3, items shared this way will also be checked by Apple.
Items shared with "People you choose" are not affected and continue to support Advanced Data Protection.
How to share iCloud items privately
Follow these steps from Apple Support's iPhone guide to share items with "People you choose" instead of "Anyone with the link."
Step 1: Choose "People you choose" when sharing
When sharing from iCloud, tap Share, Share a Link, then choose "People you choose" instead of "Anyone with the link." Optionally turn on Access Requests so people who find the link can request permission instead of being blocked.
Only people you invite or approve can open the item. It supports Advanced Data Protection when enabled.
Step 2: Change existing public links to private
For links you already created with "Anyone with the link," you can switch them to "People you choose."
In the Files app, touch and hold the file or folder, tap Manage Shared File (or Manage Shared Folder), tap Sharing Options, change Access to "People you choose."
The original link stops working for everyone. Only people you re-invite can open it.
Step 3: Or stop sharing entirely
In the Files app, touch and hold the file or folder, tap Manage Shared File (or Manage Shared Folder), tap Stop Sharing.
Step 4: On the web
On icloud.com/iclouddrive, click Share, Manage Shared File, Sharing Options, then change Access or click Stop Sharing.
Step 5: Use "Send a Copy" for one-off files
For a file someone only needs once, use "Send a Copy" instead of "Share a Link." The recipient gets the file directly, with no link.
What not to share with public links
Don't put documents you wouldn't want Apple or anyone with the link to see behind "Anyone with the link" sharing. This includes ID scans, bank documents, tax forms, or private photos.
Use "People you choose" for anything personal, or use "Send a Copy" for one-off files.
Erase what's already out there
Changing how you share iCloud links keeps future items private. But people-search sites already list your name, home address, phone number and relatives from public records, and anyone can look you up.
Every major people-search site has a free opt-out form. You have to find each listing, submit the URL, and confirm the request from your email. Then check again in a few months, because listings come back.
Start with a free scan at undoleak.com to see which sites list your information right now.
Our complete guide to removing your personal information from the internet walks through every major site. TruePeopleSearch removal, BeenVerified opt-out, and our 30-day plan break it down step by step.
Quick recap
- Starting in iOS 27.3 (expected December 2026), items shared using "Anyone with the link" will be checked by Apple.
- Such items are no longer end-to-end encrypted, even with Advanced Data Protection enabled, per Apple Support.
- Flagged content may be moved, removed or deleted, and Apple may block accounts or involve law enforcement.
- Apple has not defined what "harmful content" means or explained its review process, Bitdefender reports.
- "People you choose" is not affected and continues to support Advanced Data Protection.
- Change existing links in the Files app by tapping Manage Shared File, Sharing Options, then switching to "People you choose."
- Erase your data from people-search sites so strangers can't connect your name to your home address.
Sources
Accessed November 5, 2026.
- Apple Support, "Learn more about sharing content that can be accessed by Anyone with the Link" (2026), https://support.apple.com/en-us/149168
- Apple Support, "iCloud data security overview," https://support.apple.com/en-us/102651
- MacRumors, "Apple Will Check Public iCloud Links for Harmful Content Starting in iOS 27.3" (November 4, 2026), https://www.macrumors.com/2026/11/04/ios-27-3-icloud-link-check/
- Bitdefender, "Apple to Scan Public iCloud Links in iOS 27.3 Update" (2026), https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/apple-icloud-public-link-scanning-ios-27-3
- Apple Support, "Share files and folders in iCloud Drive on iPhone" (iPhone User Guide), https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/iph17f9f92a6/ios
Disclaimer: General information, not legal advice. UndoLeak is not affiliated with Apple or any company mentioned.
Frequently asked questions
What is changing with iCloud links in iOS 27.3?
Starting in iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS version 27.3 or later, items shared using "Anyone with the link" in iCloud Photos or iCloud Drive will be checked by Apple for harmful content, according to Apple Support. Such items are no longer end-to-end encrypted, even if the owner or participants have turned on Advanced Data Protection.
Does this apply to all iCloud sharing?
No. The policy specifically applies to items shared using "Anyone with the link" in iCloud Photos or iCloud Drive, according to Apple Support. Items shared with "People you choose" continue to support Advanced Data Protection when enabled, per Apple Support's iCloud data security overview.
What is "harmful content"?
Apple has not publicly defined what "harmful content" means or explained its review process (automated, human or both), according to Bitdefender reporting in November 2026. MacRumors suggests it could include malware, malicious files or CSAM given the law-enforcement mention in Apple's support document, but this is MacRumors' interpretation, not Apple's statement.
Will links created before iOS 27.3 be checked?
Apple has not stated whether links created before version 27.3 will be checked, as reported by MacRumors on November 4, 2026.
When will iOS 27.3 be released?
Version 27.3 is in developer beta as of November 2026, with a public release expected in December, according to MacRumors reporting on November 4, 2026.
How can I share iCloud items privately?
Choose "People you choose" instead of "Anyone with the link" when sharing from iCloud. Items shared this way are only accessible to people you invite or approve, and they support Advanced Data Protection, per Apple Support.
How do I change an existing public link to private?
In the Files app, touch and hold the file or folder, tap Manage Shared File (or Manage Shared Folder), tap Sharing Options, change Access to "People you choose." The original link stops working for everyone, and only people you re-invite can open it, according to Apple Support's iPhone guide.
Is iCloud still end-to-end encrypted?
Items shared with "anyone with the link" do not support Advanced Data Protection, and encryption keys for such shared content are uploaded to Apple data centers so iCloud can facilitate web sharing, according to Apple Support's iCloud data security overview.
undoleak Team
