Apple to Check iCloud Public Links for Harmful Content in iOS 27.3

Apple will start checking iCloud public links for harmful content in iOS 27.3, according to a new Apple support document highlighted by 9to5Mac on Wednesday. The change affects the "Anyone with the link" sharing option for content stored in iCloud, including photos in iCloud Photos and files in iCloud Drive.

When sharing content stored in iCloud, users can choose "Share a Link" or "Send a Copy". If they choose "Share a Link," they can share with "People you choose," which limits access to people they invite or approve, or with "Anyone with the link," which makes the item accessible to anyone with the link, including Apple. Beginning with version 27.3 or later of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS, Apple will check content shared via the "Anyone with the link" option for harmful material, according to the support document.

9to5Mac noted that the "Anyone with the link" option has always made content accessible to "anyone who has the link, including Apple" because it is a public link; what is new is Apple's statement that it will begin checking those links for harmful content.

If Apple flags content as harmful, the support document says the company "reserves the right to move, refuse, modify, remove, or delete the content at any time". For anyone attempting to upload harmful content, Apple may take action against the Apple Account. According to the support document, that can include "blocking or disabling your Apple Account, blocking the ability to create a new Apple Account with the associated email address or phone number, or if necessary, involving law enforcement".

Apple released the first iOS 27.3 beta this week with other changes, including Siri AI improvements, new Safari features, and an all-new Apple Health app, 9to5Mac reported. The iCloud public link checking arrives as part of that update and its companion releases on iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS. Users who rely on public iCloud links should expect Apple to review shared content for harmful material and possibly take action on accounts, according to the support document.

Update, November 4, 2026

The Verge reported on Wednesday that Apple's support document adds a privacy consequence: sharing an iCloud item with the "Anyone with the Link" option will also mean the item is no longer end-to-end encrypted. The document does not define what "harmful content" means. Apple has also said recently that it plans to launch iOS 27.3 in December, according to The Verge.