Apple’s iOS 15 and macOS Monterey operating system updates include a new Internet privacy service called iCloud Private Relay. Certain Xfinity xFi features including Advanced Security, Parental Controls, and Active Time Details won't work on Apple devices which have this service enabled, and other xFi activity reporting features will no longer provide the same level of device detail. The xFi experience when iCloud Private Relay is enabled is comparable to what happens when a virtual private network (VPN) is used. Similar to when using VPN, the speed of access to websites and services may be slower when using iCloud Private Relay.
What's changing
If you’re an xFi customer and you turn on iCloud Private Relay, some of your xFi features won’t work or will be degraded. If you’ve turned on the full suite of xFi features, including Advanced Security, Parental Controls and Active Time Details, and you wish to continue using those features, you shouldn’t turn on iCloud Private Relay when connected to your home WiFi network.
How it may affect you
If you have an xFi Gateway (XB6 and XB7) and use xFi features including Advanced Security, Parental Controls and Active Time Details or rely on other xFi features, those features will continue to work after your Apple devices have upgraded to iOS 15 or macOS Monterey because iCloud Private Replay won’t be turned on as part of the upgrade process. However, if you then turn on iCloud Private Relay, these xFi features won’t work or will be diminished.
If you use iCloud Private Relay, accessing content on the Internet may become slower. This is because the service conceals your location and your Internet service provider. As a result, content distributed today by Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) and/or is delivered via direct network interconnection paths into the Comcast network may be delivered by more distant and less well-connected content servers.
How Comcast manages your privacy isn’t changing. We believe where you go on the Internet is your business, not ours, and we don’t sell your location data or information that identifies who you are to anyone. These are key tenants of our privacy principles. We strive to give you a great Internet experience with xFi features that help keep your home network protected and your kids safe online. We believe consumers should be able to choose which privacy and security products and services are best suited for their needs, and we’ll continue working hard to provide you the best products.
What to do
If you wish to continue using your xFi features, here’s how to turn off iCloud Private Relay:
In iOS
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on Apple ID at the top.
- Tap iCloud.
- Tap Private Relay.
- Tap Toggle to Turn Off Private Relay.
In macOS Network Configuration
- Open System Preferences.
- Click Network.
- Select the WiFi network.
- Click to disable the checkbox “Use iCloud Private Relay.”
In macOS iCloud Configuration
- Open System Preferences.
- Click iCloud.
- Click Private Relay.
- Turn off Private Relay.
Additional information
Visit our Online Support Center to find common solutions.
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