Apple is improving iCloud’s online service

The new iCloud welcome screen

As predicted, Apple is updating its iCloud online service, and while reports suggest this is quite a cosmetic exercise there’s a hint of changes in some apps that will appear come the release of iOS 13, tvOS and macOS this fall.

What has Apple changed in iCloud online?

One of the last outposts of skeumorphism in Apple design, iCloud had a dynamic wallpaper. It now has a flatter design that’s more in keeping with iOS on the device.

Apple has also centred the Apple ID icon, made the Account settings easier to find, and added a time-specific welcome to the account’s welcome screen.

There are some reports that you’ll find improvements in the Reminders app, and enhanced account management tools. I’ve not seen any evidence of the former.

The old welcome screen

What hasn’t changed

I note both Find Friends and Find My iPhone remain available as separate services, but suspect these will be combined with the addition of support for Find My Mac later down the line.

You can still create alias email addresses and use iCloud online’s other unique tools.

What might change

Claims of a new Reminders app to match the enhancements in iOS 13 and the prospect of additional support in the Find My series of apps are two obvious potential enhancements to expect in iCloud online.

Others may include addition of support for HomeKit Secure Video, iCloud for Messages, a Downloads folder in iCloud and more, as detailed here.

How to see the beta service

To check these changes access your account at beta.icloud.com.

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