Updated October 2026 for the iCloud terms revised September 14, 2026.
Quick answer: Apple revised the iCloud Terms and Conditions on September 14, 2026, the day its new Apple Intelligence features launched. The main addition covers Apple Intelligence in iCloud+, and Apple published separate usage terms that put limits on server-based AI features like Siri AI, with more access “for a fee in the future.” The core rules on storage, refunds, backups and account deletion carry over from earlier versions. For most people, accepting changes nothing about how they use iCloud today.
If an “iCloud Terms and Conditions have changed” prompt just appeared on your iPhone, iPad or Mac, here is a plain-English summary of what is in the new version, what actually changed, and how to accept it if the prompt won’t go away.
What changed in the 2026 iCloud terms
1. Apple Intelligence is now part of iCloud+
The terms add a section on Apple Intelligence as an iCloud+ feature. Apple describes it as bringing “personal context understanding, app actions, and on-screen awareness across supported devices.” The terms also say Siri AI, cross-app intelligent features and features powered by Apple’s Foundation Models may have usage limits.
2. Separate Apple Intelligence Usage Terms
Alongside the iCloud update, Apple published Apple Intelligence Usage Terms. The key points:
- Usage limits on cloud-based features: Siri AI, the intelligent photo tools (Clean Up, Extend and Spatial Reframing), Image Playground, the AFM 3 Cloud models in Shortcuts, and third-party apps that use Apple Foundation Models in Private Cloud Compute.
- Temporary lockouts: once you hit a limit, the feature stops working for a period, then comes back. Apple says limits can vary by feature, request complexity and system demand.
- “Unreasonable” use: Apple can restrict, throttle or suspend access it considers unreasonable, and end access for violations.
- Paid access later: Apple says expanded access “will be available for a fee in the future.” It has not announced a price, plan name or date.
Apple hasn’t published the actual daily limit numbers. If you use Siri AI or Image Playground lightly, you are unlikely to notice them.
3. Home camera summaries depend on your iCloud+ plan
The one AI feature already tied to plan size is Apple Intelligence video summaries in the Home app: 1 camera on the 2TB plan, 2 cameras on 6TB, and 5 cameras on 12TB. Apple says supported camera counts may change.
4. “Apple Account” instead of “Apple ID”
The terms use Apple’s newer name, Apple Account. Nothing about your login changes.
What stayed the same: the rules worth knowing
Most of what people worry about in iCloud terms isn’t new, but it is worth knowing before you tap Agree:
| Rule | What the terms say |
|---|---|
| Free storage | 5GB per account (1GB for web-only accounts) |
| Refunds on iCloud+ | Cancel a new or renewed subscription within 14 days for a refund. Otherwise, fees are generally nonrefundable. |
| Over your storage limit | Apple may delete data above your limit after giving you 30 days’ notice |
| Old device backups | Apple may delete a device’s backup if it hasn’t backed up for 180 days |
| Inactive accounts | Apple may close an account inactive for one year, with 30 days’ email notice |
| Advanced Data Protection | End-to-end encryption for backups, Photos, Notes and iCloud Drive. Apple can’t recover that data for you if you lose access. |
| Future changes | Apple gives 30 days’ notice of material changes that hurt you. Paid users can cancel and get a pro-rata refund. |
| Disputes | California law, courts in Santa Clara County (some non-U.S. users fall under local law) |
The content rules are also unchanged in substance: no illegal, abusive or harassing content, no malware or spam, and an explicit ban on child sexual abuse material. Apple can remove content that breaks these rules.
Should you accept the new iCloud terms?
For most people, yes. Apple requires you to accept updated terms to keep using iCloud, and the 2026 changes mostly cover Apple Intelligence features that are optional. The real decision is about Apple Intelligence itself, not iCloud:
- If you don’t want Apple Intelligence, you can accept the iCloud terms and leave AI features off. See our guide to turning off Apple Intelligence on a Mac.
- If you rely heavily on Siri AI or Image Playground, expect daily limits now and a paid tier at some point.
- If privacy is the concern, turning on Advanced Data Protection does more for your iCloud data than anything in this update.
You can read the full text at apple.com/legal/internet-services/icloud before agreeing.
How to accept the new iCloud terms
- iPhone or iPad: tap the prompt, or open Settings and tap the banner under your name, then tap Agree.
- Mac: open System Settings, click your name at the top, and agree when prompted.
- Any browser: sign in at iCloud.com and accept the terms there.
Can’t accept the terms, or the prompt keeps coming back?
- Update your software. Settings > General > Software Update on iPhone or iPad, or System Settings > General > Software Update on a Mac. An older OS is the most common cause of the “Cannot Complete Action” error.
- Accept on iCloud.com. This works for devices that can’t update to the latest version.
- Sign out of iCloud and back in, then restart the device. Make sure your data is synced first.
- Check Apple’s System Status page for iCloud outages if nothing works.
FAQ
What are the new iCloud terms and conditions for 2026?
The version revised September 14, 2026 adds Apple Intelligence to iCloud+, notes that AI features may have usage limits, and comes with separate Apple Intelligence Usage Terms. Core storage, refund and account rules are unchanged.
What happens if I don’t accept the new iCloud terms?
Apple requires acceptance to keep using iCloud services under the new version. If you are unsure, read the terms first, but there is little in this update that changes how iCloud works for a typical user.
Do the new terms let Apple read my iCloud data?
No new access is described. Apple can still remove content that violates its rules, and data protected by Advanced Data Protection is end-to-end encrypted, so Apple can’t read it.
Will Apple charge for Apple Intelligence?
Basic use stays included. Apple says expanded access to features like Siri AI will be available for a fee in the future, but hasn’t announced pricing.
Does this affect Family Sharing?
No changes to Family Sharing were called out. If you share iCloud+ with family, see whether Family Sharing members can see your iCloud files.
MacReview verdict
The 2026 iCloud terms are mostly about Apple Intelligence, not your photos and files. Accept them, decide separately whether you want Apple’s AI features, and if you care about privacy, turn on Advanced Data Protection. The one thing to watch is the paid AI tier Apple has promised, which will likely be tied to iCloud+ plans.
Sources: Apple, iCloud Terms and Conditions (last revised September 14, 2026); 9to5Mac; The Mac Observer.
