Update: This issue is not related to Telus, but instead there’s an obscure Cellular setting that needs to be toggled on, as noted by iPhone in Canada reader, Lee, below.
Go to Settings > Cellular > Primary > Limit IP Address Tracking > On
You might also see the option under: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options
Once you enable this setting, it should fix the iCloud Private Relay error message and allow it again.
More to follow…
That customer probably have this turned off under his Cellular settings. 🙃
The same Private Relay error message will also show up if you disable the same option on your current Wi-Fi network. pic.twitter.com/yZ6an3aSRC
— Lee (@leepalisoc) January 12, 2022
With news of some carriers in the U.S., European Union and the United Kingdom blocking Apple’s iCloud Private Relay feature, which masks your internet activity, we’re now seeing signs of a carrier in Canada doing the same.
According to iPhone in Canada reader Mike, a Telus customer with a 5G plan, their iPhone 12 Pro on iOS 15.2 does not support iCloud Private Relay, as it appears to be blocked by the wireless carrier he says.
When attempting to enable Private Relay, a beta feature, a message shows up below the toggle to read, “Private Relay is turned off for your cellular plan. Your cellular plan doesn’t support iCloud Private Relay.”
The message continues, “With Private Relay off, this network can monitor your internet activity and your IP address is not hidden from known trackers or websites.”
According to Mike, he first saw this toggle during his beta testing of iOS 15.2, but now it’s still showing on his Telus 5G plan.
Others responding to this story saw the same message noting iCloud Private Relay was disabled on their Telus plan–but many also noted the feature works as described.
Can confirm.
— The Bob Loblaw Law Blog (@HamDanhuis) January 11, 2022
I have Telus and it’s active for me. pic.twitter.com/Jdi7K9N7OQ
— Sam (@sam07b) January 11, 2022
iCloud Private Relay is only available if you have an iCloud+ subscription. Simply put, Apple says the feature “helps protect your privacy when you browse the web in Safari.”
Apple does say that the feature is “not available in all countries or regions and is currently in beta in iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS Monterey.”
We did receive information that iCloud Private Relay does work on Telus prepaid brand, Public Mobile. When toggled on, the Private Relay message seen above does not show in settings, and browsing at 3G data speeds (on its LTE network) works as normal. We also were told the feature is working fine on Koodo.
Are you seeing iCloud Private Relay being disabled with your wireless plan? Which carrier are you on? We’ve reached out to Telus for more information and will update this story accordingly.
