Apple adds file and photo search to iCloud.com with iOS 26.4 update

8 articles · Updated · 9to5Mac · Apr 29

The new 'Allow Search' toggle, introduced in iOS 26.4, lets users search iCloud Drive and iCloud Photos via the web after manual activation in device settings.
Search suggestions include filenames, folder names, document types, dates, people, and locations, with all searches encrypted and processed on-device to protect privacy.
This upgrade narrows the gap between iCloud.com and Apple's native apps, making web access more practical for users on Windows or Android devices compared to previous limitations.

Despite the new search, is iCloud's notoriously poor support for Windows and Android users actually improving?

Why did Apple make its powerful new iCloud search feature 'off by default,' hiding it behind multiple settings menus?

With this web update and new AI deals, is Apple finally getting serious about competing with Google Drive and OneDrive?

Apple touts privacy, but why does iCloud lack the zero-knowledge encryption offered by its top competitors in 2026?

How secure is the temporary web access required for users with Apple's highest level of Advanced Data Protection?

If your iPhone processes web searches, what is the real-world impact on its battery life and performance?