iCloud Private Relay, available as part of iCloud+, encrypts user data to prevent rogue sites from tracking locations. It sends Safari requests through two separate, secure routes, ensuring privacy.
Current Issue:
- Affected Users: Apple reports that "some users are affected."
- Service Status: The service may be slow or unavailable.
- Duration: The issue has persisted for approximately 14 hours, starting on Thursday, July 26, at 2:34 P.M. Eastern.
User Impact:
- Many iPhone users have reported that Safari gets stuck on searches.
- The issue appears to be more prevalent on iPhone than on Mac.
Temporary Solutions:
- Some users have found success by turning iCloud Private Relay off and then on again.
- Restarting the iPhone has also resolved the issue for others.
Background: iCloud Private Relay was launched in 2021 to enhance user privacy while browsing. It previously experienced an outage in 2022, affecting most iCloud features.
Apple's Response: As of now, Apple has not provided further details about the cause or expected resolution time for the outage.
