How to Use Hide My Email on iPhone
Hide My Email on iPhone creates a random, private email address that forwards messages to an approved inbox. Open Settings > Apple Account > iCloud > Hide My Email, create a new address, add a label, and use the generated address for websites, apps, or subscriptions. An iCloud+ plan is generally required.
🤔Note:
Hide My Email is generally available with an iCloud+ plan. Check your iCloud+ subscription if the feature does not appear on your iPhone.
Steps
- Open Settings, tap the Apple Account name, select iCloud, then choose Hide My Email.
- Tap Create New Address and select Continue after the random address appears.
- Add a label, such as “Shopping” or “Newsletters,” to identify the address later.
- Add an optional note, then tap Create to save the private email address.
- Copy the address into a signup form. Incoming messages will forward through iCloud Hide My Email forwarding.
Hide My Email can also appear during supported app or website signups. Select Hide My Email instead of entering a primary email address, then complete the signup process.
Common Issues and Fixes
- Hide My Email does not appear: The iPhone may use an outdated iOS version, or the Apple Account may not include iCloud+. Update iOS and check the iCloud+ subscription status.
- Forwarded messages do not arrive: The forwarding destination may be incorrect or disabled. Open Settings > Apple Account > iCloud > Hide My Email and verify the forwarding address.
- A private address cannot be created: The account may have reached an address limit or may lack available iCloud storage. Review existing addresses and iCloud+ settings.
- A website rejects the address: Some services block randomly generated or relay addresses. Use a standard email address only when account verification requires a permanent mailbox.
- An old address receives unwanted mail: Open the address settings and select Deactivate Email Address. New messages will stop forwarding from the deactivated address.
Quick Tips
- Each address can receive forwarded messages, but replies should be sent through the Mail app using the forwarding system when supported.
- Deactivation stops forwarding but does not necessarily delete historical messages already stored in the inbox.
- Use separate labels for shopping, trials, newsletters, and account registrations to simplify address management.
- Sign in with Apple may create a private relay address separately from manually created iCloud+ Hide My Email addresses.
💡Protip:
Use descriptive labels for shopping, trials, newsletters, and account registrations so you can identify and deactivate private addresses more easily.
Related Questions
Can Hide My Email addresses be reused?
A deactivated address generally cannot be restored for regular use. Create a new private email address on iPhone when a replacement address is needed.
Where can forwarding settings be changed?
Open Settings > Apple Account > iCloud > Hide My Email and select Forward To. The forwarding destination must be an approved email address linked to the Apple Account.
