Apple’s iCloud service is highly useful, but it can also create headaches for the average user. In Take Control of iCloud, Ninth Edition, Joe Kissell explains how to avoid frustrations and make iCloud work for you across all your devices.
All Take Control books are delivered in two ebook formats—PDF and EPUB—and can be read on nearly any device.
iCloud is a simple idea in theory—access to all your data on all your devices, via the cloud—that can become complicated when put into practice. Instead of wasting time fiddling with iCloud, when there are many other more important things to be done with the information it contains, learn how to minimize frustrations with Take Control of iCloud, Ninth Edition!
Whether you want a quick tip or a deep dive into the inner workings of iCloud, you’ll find what you need in this best-selling book by Apple expert Joe Kissell. Start by learning what iCloud can do, how it differs from other cloud services, and how best to set it up on Macs, iOS and iPadOS devices, Apple TVs, and Windows PCs.
Then, move on to finding out the key aspects—and hidden gotchas—of iCloud’s core features, including:
iCloud+, Apple’s paid membership tiers with extra features
Location features: Find My Device, Find My Item, Find My Friends, and the Find My app
Two-factor authentication
Activation lock
Backing up and recovering data
Managing your privacy and security (including the use of Advanced Data Protection)
This edition (see details under “What’s New” above) not only covers the changes to iCloud in macOS 13 Ventura, iOS 16, and iPadOS 16 but also includes details about recent changes to iCloud that span operating systems, including the iCloud website. It also continues to cover macOS 10.15 Catalina, macOS 11 Big Sur, macOS 12 Monterey, and iOS 15/iPadOS 15, but drops coverage of earlier operating system versions.
Take Control publisher Joe Kissell has written more than 60 books about technology, including many popular Take Control books. He formerly wrote for publications such as Macworld, Wirecutter, and TidBITS. He lives in Saskatoon with his wife, his two children, and his cat.
What's New in Version 9.0.1
Version 9.0.1 is a minor update to address the following:
Added two sidebars, “About Card Verification Numbers or CVVs” and “Apple Pay, Safari-Stored Cards, and Safari Settings,” which clarify Safari’s use of CVV codes for credit cards
Made another clarification about credit cards in “Use iCloud Keychain with Another Password Manager”
Corrected a misleadingly worded statement and a typo in the sidebar “iCloud Drive and Backups”
Removed a few lingering references to two-step verification
What Was New in the Ninth Edition
This edition added coverage of Ventura, iOS 16, and iPadOS 16, plus recent changes to the iCloud website. Besides detailing the many adjustments to settings and apps in the latest operating systems, I made the following changes:
Apple’s prices for Apple Music and Apple One increased in October 2022. Current prices are shown in “Apple One,” “Use iCloud Family Sharing,” and “Understand Apple’s Music Services.”
I cover new and significantly changed features for Windows users; see “Set Up iCloud for Windows,” “Use iCloud Music Features,” and “Manage Your Photos.”
You can now disable Private Relay for a single webpage; see “Enable and Configure iCloud Private Relay.” Apple also removed the “beta” label from Private Relay toward the end of 2022.
I added an overview of how to Share a Photo Library in Ventura, iOS 16, iPadOS 16, or later, as Apple created a newer system than the one in place for years.
The topics “Share Files and Folders on a Mac or PC” and “Use the Files App for iOS or iPadOS” have been fully revised to cover interface changes in Ventura, iOS 16, and iPadOS 16.
Starting in iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, you can create and edit groups of contacts (which can then be used as distribution lists in Mail). See “Work with Contact Groups.”
Apple redesigned the iCloud website, so I’ve made the appropriate adjustments in the chapter “Use the iCloud Website.”
macOS, iOS, and iPadOS now support hardware security keys for two-factor authentication; I mention these in “Use a Security Key.”
The “Protect Your Privacy” topic is now divided into a revised discussion of how to Take Basic Privacy Steps and a new topic, “Use Advanced Data Protection.”
Note: Due to significant iCloud changes since their release, this edition removes details related to iOS 14 and iPadOS 14.
Read Me First
Updates and More
Settings vs. Preferences
What’s New in Version 9.0.1
What Was New in the Ninth Edition
Introduction
iCloud Quick Start
Catch Up with iCloud Changes
iCloud Feature Changes
Storage Checkup
Apple One
Get to Know iCloud
What Is iCloud?
Major iCloud Features
About iCloud System Requirements
About Your Apple ID
About iCloud Storage
Set Up iCloud
Update Your Software
Set Up iCloud on a Mac
Set Up iCloud for Windows
Set Up iCloud in iOS or iPadOS
Work with Multiple iCloud Accounts
Disable iCloud
Use iCloud+
Increase Your Storage
Browse the Web Privately
Hide Your Email Address
Configure a Custom Domain
Add Security Camera Features
Use iCloud Family Sharing
Enable Family Sharing
Configure Apps and Services
Share Calendar, Reminders, and Photos
Use Find My
Share Media and Apps
Use Ask to Buy
Share iCloud+ Features
Update a Child’s Age
Change Family Sharing
Use iCloud Music Features
Understand Apple’s Music Services
Use iTunes Match
Manage Your Photos
Sync with iCloud Photos
Share Photos, Videos, and Albums
Share a Photo Library
Keep Documents and App Data in Sync
Use iCloud Drive
Use In-App Data Syncing
Keep Mail, Contacts, and Calendars in Sync
Work with iCloud Mail
Use Mail Drop
Sync Your Contacts
Sync Your Calendars
Troubleshoot Contact and Calendar Problems
Sync Other iCloud Data
Work with Browser Bookmarks, Tabs, and Reading List
Joe Kissell joined Chuck Joiner on MacVoices in a two-part interview to discuss the seventh (seventh!) edition of his book Take Control of iCloud.
In Part 1, Joe discusses some differences between iCloud and Dropbox, and whether you should consider storing Desktop and Documents folders in iCloud.
In Part 2, Joe discusses iCloud reliability, the perils of oversimplification, the extent to which the book covers various Apple apps.
1 review for Take Control of iCloud
Rated 5 out of 5
Dave Muth (verified owner)–
I’ve only read the “What’s New” first chapter. It’s so well done that I will read all those links 1st! (I already read older versions.) THEN I’ll read the rest of the book. THANKS Joe Kissell! You’re the best of a great bunch of writers here.
“I just read Take Control of iCloud cover to cover, and it helped me sort out several problems and clear up my confusion on how iCloud works with my iMac, MacBook, iPad, and iPhone. Your book has helped me get more out of my devices, and I can see it’ll make my life easier. Thanks for a job very well done!” —Andy Staab
“Brilliant and concise information on using current iCloud systems. I love Take Control books—they teach me how to make the most of my Apple stuff in the real world.” —Brian Murray
“As someone who hadn’t invested a lot of time in setting up iCloud before, I found this book very informative—particularly the information about managing multiple iCloud accounts and the Photos section. Thanks!” —Kelly
Dave Muth (verified owner) –
I’ve only read the “What’s New” first chapter. It’s so well done that I will read all those links 1st! (I already read older versions.) THEN I’ll read the rest of the book. THANKS Joe Kissell! You’re the best of a great bunch of writers here.