# Apple ecosystem

The Apple ecosystem is a term used to describe Apple Inc.'s digital ecosystem of products and services, including the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac computers, HomePod, and the applications that run on them. It is often praised for its seamless integration and optimization between various networks of devices, software and services, and is largely emphasized by Apple's focus on privacy, but criticized for its closed system and lack of customer control.
Apple products often unlock extra features when paired with other Apple products, as opposed to devices from other companies. Privacy is also considered a major perk of the ecosystem, as Apple markets its products with high standards of privacy, sometimes using it as a selling point over competitors.

## "Walled garden"

Apple's ecosystem is often described as a "walled garden". While peripherals such as AirPods, HomePods and AirTags integrate complementarily into the ecosystem, with products such as the iPhone, it does not function as well or with as many features with competitive devices such as Android smartphones. Also, it is not easy to switch from the ecosystem once users have immersed themselves into it, as it is designed to keep users from leaving.

## Advanced Data Protection Program

Launched in December 2022, and "released it globally in January 2023" "in iOS 16.2". Advanced Data Protection (ADP) is an Apple ecosystem setting that uses end-to-end encryption to ensure that the iCloud data types — messages, photos, notes, voice memos, wallet passes, and more — can only be decrypted on devices authorized by the user.
   "the number of data categories with end-to-end encryption rises to 23, including iCloud Backup, Notes and Photos. Some major data categories remain omitted, including iCloud Mail, Contacts and Calendar"
Once the ADP setting is turned on, Apple will not have the keys to uncover the user's data. This means that the user will have to use a third-party security method if the user loses access to their iCloud account. When ADP is turned on, Apple suggests a contact of the iCloud account owner to be the "recovery contact."
   "With Advanced Data Protection, Apple Notes can synchronize across devices without sacrificing privacy. Just be aware that a collaboration link is not end-to-end encrypted if the intended recipient disables that feature."
"Without ADP enabled, this data is still encrypted, which adds a strong layer of protection from third parties or bad actors. But Apple can still access this data and turn it over to the cops," reported Wired about ADP. "End-to-end encryption closes that loophole. If an Apple employee decides to go rogue, or Apple gets hacked and your files get leaked, and neither of those scenarios have happened, to our knowledge, ADP will ensure your data is still safe."

### Disabled for new users in the United Kingdom

On 7 February 2025, The Washington Post reported that in January 2025, "the office of the Home Secretary has served Apple with a document called a technical capability notice, ordering it to provide access under the sweeping U.K. Investigatory Powers Act of 2016", that Apple create a "backdoor" to access data protected under ADP. On 21 February 2025, Advanced Data Protection was disabled for new users in the United Kingdom, with existing users' access to be disabled at a future date.
   "If a U.K. user has not already signed up for Advanced Data Protection, they will not be able to as of February 21, Apple said...Apple said existing users will need to disable the feature manually to continue using iCloud...Other end-to-end encrypted applications and services from Apple, such as iCloud Keychain, Health, iMessage, and FaceTime, will not change."
   "The company stressed that while the withdrawal affects nine iCloud data categories—such as iCloud Backup, iCloud Drive, Photos, and Notes; the 14 categories that are encrypted by default, including iCloud Keychain and Health data, remain protected. Apple said it cannot disable ADP automatically for these users. Instead, UK users will be given a period of time to disable the feature themselves to keep using their iCloud account."
   "iCloud file backups, photos, notes, and voice memos are among the data types that will no longer be encrypted."