Private Relay Looks Like a VPN (But Isn’t)
Private Relay is a feature Apple announced during its iOS 15 presentation. It is currently in beta, but you can already use Private Relay. You need an iCloud Plus subscription for this. Private Relay has some important similarities to a VPN. The most important similarity is that your internet traffic is not directly traceable to you. However, that doesn’t apply in all situations – we’ll explain it to you.
The feature only works in Safari
Private Relay only functions as a VPN when using Apple’s own Safari browser. In that case, your internet traffic is encrypted and redirected via so-called proxies. Others won’t know which websites you visit – so you have complete privacy. Your IP address (the ‘home address’ of your internet connection), browsing history and location are no longer visible to the outside world.
A regular VPN works for every browser you use. So you can also surf the internet anonymously via Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Edge. Since Private Relay forces you to use Safari, the feature is relatively restrictive. Not every website works optimally in Safari. There are also, for example, all kinds of handy Chrome extensions that you can only use in combination with Google Chrome.
Setting a foreign location is not possible
VPNs are regularly used to watch Netflix offerings from the United States. The streaming service offers different films and series in every country. Very frustrating, because the American offer is many times larger (and perhaps a bit better) than the Dutch offer. With a VPN you can change your internet location, making Netflix think you are in a different country. This way you get access to a different film and series offer.
Unfortunately Private Relay does not offer this option. The new IP address assigned to you by Apple is still associated with your region. You can’t adjust this yourself either. So you are anonymous, but you have no control over your own anonymity.
Private Relay is recognizable as a proxy server
A proxy (or proxy server) is a computer that stands, as it were, between the user and the Internet. This server receives your internet traffic and then forwards that data to the final internet destination. In this way it is impossible to trace who is behind the data. On large managed networks, such as those of schools and businesses, this can cause access problems. Very annoying if, for example, you have to hand in an important assignment or open a work file.
A VPN has a solution to this problem: it disguises itself as a non-proxy. However, Apple’s Private Forwarding does not do this. So you’re browsing the internet anonymously – but it’s best if no one notices. Unfortunately, this is not the case with Private Relay.
Both a VPN and Private Relay provide more online privacy
Ultimately, both a VPN and Apple’s Private Relay provide more online privacy. Private transfer also comes bundled with iCloud Plus, so you don’t really have to do anything for this. You already have an iCloud Plus subscription from 1 euro per month. This makes Private Relay cheaper than most VPNs. However, you also sacrifice functionality.
Already have an iCloud Plus subscription and want to use Private Relay? You can manually turn this on and off via the settings app on your iPhone. It goes like this:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad;
- Tap your name;
- Go to the heading ‘iCloud’ and tap on it;
- Look for the heading ‘Private transfer’ and follow the steps.
The feature is still in beta at the time of writing, so it doesn’t always run smoothly. For example, you cannot log in with your DigiD if you have Private Transfer turned on.
Would you like to read more about functions such as Private Relay? Please sign up for our daily/weekly newsletter, download the free iphoned app and keep an eye on the site. Then you don’t miss anything!