Two-Tier Encryption in the UK – Identical Apple Devices, Different Protection

Alice and Bill have identical Apple devices. Only one gets Apple’s strongest iCloud protection.

Here's something odd. Alice and Bill both live in the UK. Both have identical iPhones. Both use iCloud. Both pay Apple for the same services. Alice has Advanced Data Protection switched on, protecting the majority of her iCloud data. Bill doesn’t, and can’t switch it on. Alice enabled it before Apple withdrew the feature for new UK users in February 2025. Bill missed the window.