Email privacy is a growing concern for many users as it’s linked to their online identity and personal information. Apple introduces a feature called Hide My Email to address privacy concerns related to email communication. This feature is part of the iCloud+ subscription service, and it allows users to create unique, random email addresses. These addresses can be used instead of personal ones when signing up for online services or websites.
The function of Hide My Email is straightforward. It helps users keep their actual email address private while still receiving emails from the services they sign up for. The emails sent to these randomly generated addresses are forwarded to the user’s primary inbox, making it possible to use the service without sharing personal contact details. This is beneficial for reducing spam and safeguarding one’s identity on the internet, as the feature grants more control over who can directly reach the user’s email.
Hide My Email is integrated directly into the user’s Apple ID settings, providing a seamless experience across devices. Users can manage and create these random email addresses on their iPhone, iPad, or even through their browser. Each address can be deactivated or changed at any time, offering flexibility and further control for the user.
✅ What is Hide My Email?
Hide My Email is a privacy feature from Apple that lets you create unique, random email addresses that forward messages to your real inbox. This way, you can sign up for apps, websites, or newsletters without revealing your personal email address.
It’s available in two main ways:
- Sign in with Apple → When you log in to apps or websites using your Apple ID, you can choose to hide your email.
- iCloud+ subscribers → You can create and manage multiple random email addresses directly from Settings, Mail, or Safari.
(Source: Apple Support)
🔒 Why Use Hide My Email?
- Protects your privacy → Keeps your real email address hidden.
- Reduces spam → You can delete a random address anytime if it starts receiving junk mail.
- Convenient → Still delivers all emails to your main inbox without exposing it.
- Secure logins → Works with “Sign in with Apple” for safer app and website accounts.
🛠️ How to Use Hide My Email
1. With Sign in with Apple
- When signing up for an app or website, choose Sign in with Apple.
- Select Hide My Email (instead of showing your real one).
- Apple will generate a random address (e.g.,
random123@privaterelay.appleid.com). - Messages sent there are forwarded to your real inbox.
2. With iCloud+ Subscription
- On iPhone or iPad:
- Go to Settings → tap your Apple ID → iCloud → Hide My Email.
- Tap Create New Address.
- Apple generates a random email → label it (e.g., “Shopping”) → tap Next.
- On Mac:
- Go to System Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → Hide My Email.
- Create and manage addresses.
- On the Web (iCloud.com):
- Sign in → Account Settings → Hide My Email.
3. Managing or Deleting Addresses
- You can see all your generated addresses in Settings > iCloud > Hide My Email.
- If spam increases, just deactivate or delete that random address.
🌟 Example Use Cases
- Signing up for a newsletter without risking spam.
- Creating an account on a shopping site you don’t fully trust.
- Keeping your work and personal emails separate.
- Testing apps or services without giving away your real contact info.
⚡ Key Takeaways
- Hide My Email = disposable, private email addresses that forward to your real inbox.
- Built into Sign in with Apple and iCloud+.
- You’re always in control: create, manage, or delete addresses anytime.
👉 In short: Apple’s Hide My Email is like having a privacy shield for your inbox—you stay reachable without giving away your actual email.
Key Takeaways
- Hide My Email enhances user privacy by creating unique email addresses.
- These addresses forward to the user’s main inbox, preventing exposure of the personal email.
- The feature is easily managed through Apple ID settings on various Apple devices.
Using Hide My Email Feature
Apple’s Hide My Email feature provides users with a way to keep their personal email address private. It generates random email addresses that forward to a user’s inbox.
Setup and Configuration
To start using Hide My Email, iPhone and iPad users need to open the Settings app. They tap their name, then iCloud, and select Hide My Email. For Safari, this feature is accessible when signing up on a website.
Generating and Managing Addresses
Users can create new addresses by selecting the option to create one. They can also deactivate them as needed. Each address is unique and can be labeled for easy management.
Integration with Apple Services
Integration includes using Hide My Email with Sign in with Apple and Apple Pay. This keeps email traffic linked to these services private and secure.
Managing and Organizing Emails
Emails sent to the random addresses are forwarded to the user’s personal inbox. Users can delete or deactivate these as needed to stop receiving emails to that address.
Privacy and Security
Hide My Email contributes to stronger privacy. It allows users to interact online without revealing their real email address to potential sources of spamming.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If issues arise, users can check their iCloud settings to ensure Hide My Email is active. It is also important to ensure that their device is running on a compatible iOS or macOS version.
