Apple's subscription services don't strictly revolve around entertainment through music and TV. The company also offers paid features that add more privacy and functionality to newer iPhones and iPads. A prominent example is iCloud+, which unlocks Hide My Email on iOS and iPadOS. Whether you're on iOS 17, iPadOS 17, or a slightly older OS version, you can use the Hide My Email feature by following the steps below.

Hide My Email prerequisites

iPhone 15 Pro Max showing the back

Before we get to the steps, you must ensure that you meet the following criteria:

  • Have an active iCloud+ subscription.
  • Have one of the latest iPhones or iPads that support OS version 15 or newer.
  • To use Hide My Email through the Settings app or Apple Keyboard suggestions, you must be running at least iOS/iPadOS 15.
  • To use the feature directly in the Apple Mail app, you must be on OS version 15.2 or later.

How to set up Hide My Email in the Settings app

The most comprehensive method

There are three ways to take advantage of the Hide My Email feature. The first method is through the Settings app, which is the easiest way to do it.

  1. Launch the Settings app on your iDevice.
  2. Click on the header with your name on it at the very top.
  3. Hit iCloud.
  4. Scroll down and tap on Hide My Email.
    IMG_0885
    iCloud settings section on iOS with iCloud highlighted
    hide my email section in iOS settings
  5. Tap on Create New Address.
  6. iOS will display a random alias. You will be prompted to give it a Label and add an optional Note.
  7. Click on Next or go for Use Different Address if you want another alias.
  8. You can then choose which email address you want to forward mail to if you have more than one address associated with your Apple ID.
  9. Click Done, and that's it.
    create new alias in iOS settings
    IMG_0889
    hide my email all set screen
  10. To deactivate it and stop receiving mail through it, you can click on the alias you've created and do so there.
  11. Then you will have a new section in the Hide My Email options that allows you to reactivate or permanently delete an alias.
    IMG_0892
    deactivate email address button for hide my email on ios
    inactive addresses section in hide my email settings

How to use Apple Keyboard suggestions

Use the built-in keyboard

This method works when you're in the process of signing up for an account on a website. So once you're ready to register, follow the steps below:

  1. When clicking the email text field, a Hide My Email suggestion should appear on your Apple Keyboard. Click it.
  2. You will be presented with a random alias. If you want another one, hit on the Refresh button to the right. Otherwise, click Continue.
  3. Adjust its Label and add an optional Note.
  4. Tap on Continue.
  5. You can later view and adjust the alias in iCloud settings, as mentioned in the previous section of this tutorial.
    IMG_0895
    hide my email creation through the keyboard
    hide my email setup through keyboard showing alias, label, and note

How to use it through the Apple Mail app

The simplest option

  1. Launch the Mail app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Create a new email as you would usually do.
  3. Click on the From field and choose Hide My Email.
    IMG_0900
    hide my email in the from field in mail app
    from field set to hide my email in mail

Hide My Email is also a great way to create several accounts on the same website, and it can work as a privacy tool against spammers — humans and websites alike. However, as a reminder, you will need an active iCloud+ subscription to use it, which starts at $0.99/month. The subscription also offers other perks, such as expanded iCloud storage, access to Private Relay, and more, so you should check it out.