Anonymizing IP addresses in iOS 15, the aim of Apple's "private relay"-Visual understanding: Nikkei Cross Tech Active

By : ilikephone / On : 27/11/2022

 There is no day when we do not use a web browser on our PCs or smartphones. In addition to reading various articles, it is now possible to do many things on the web that can be done with apps installed on the OS, such as email, music and videos, SNS, shopping, chat and video conferencing, and document creation. In this special issue, we will explain the latest technologies of the Web.

 In addition to the method of preventing tracking by cookies, there is a method of anonymizing the IP address itself as a new technology to protect user privacy. This is a mechanism called "Private Relay" provided by Apple (Apple) from iOS 15. Private relay is available as one of the functions of iCloud.

Mechanism of Apple Private Relay I showed the mechanism of Private Relay that became available from iOS 15. Created based on WWDC21 presentation materials [Click image to enlarge]

 The image of the mechanism is the proxy itself. I will explain based on the operation image that Apple explained at WWDC21. Apple provides a private relay network with an Ingress Proxy to which the iPhone connects. For external sites that you actually browse, connect via Egress Proxy.

Anonymize IP address in iOS 15 , Aim of Apple's

 I myself have not used iCloud until now, but I was interested in how the private relay actually works. So I signed up and checked it out.

 I used iOS 15 Public Preview Beta 5 for the terminal OS. In addition to my home Wi-Fi, I tried verifying the network by going around mobile networks of carriers, free Wi-Fi provided by local governments, free Wi-Fi provided by railway companies, and free Wi-Fi at cafes. Private relays were available in all environments.

 Private relay settings can be made from the iCloud settings screen. In Public Preview Beta 5 of iOS 15 used for verification, the default state was turned on. And there were two types of IP address location information settings: 'Keep approximate location information' and 'Use country and time zone'. Changing this setting dynamically changed the egress proxy's egress IP address. In the iOS 15 release version, private relay is treated as a beta version and is turned off by default.

I tried using private relay in beta version of iOS 15 I tried using private relay in public preview beta 5 of iOS 15. You can set it in iPhone's "Settings" → "iCloud" → "Private Relay". However, it is necessary to subscribe to iCloud for a fee. This is a supportive information site. We post a lot of content such as product / service information and introduction examples. Please register as a member (free) when viewing for the first time.