iPhone Users Who Pay for Enough iCloud Storage Get New iOS 27 Perks

[MacRumors]

If you are subscribed to an iCloud+ plan with at least 2TB of storage, you will receive new perks in the Home app on iOS 27, according to Apple.

Starting with iOS 27, Apple said iPhone users who are subscribed to an iCloud+ plan with at least 2TB of storage receive access to three new Apple Intelligence features in the Home app: generated video descriptions for HomeKit Secure Video cameras, the ability to search for camera clips, and automatic surfacing of noteworthy clips.

According to Stephen Robles, the Home app on the fifth developer beta of iOS 27 now indicates how many HomeKit Secure Video cameras are eligible for generated video summaries. Robles told us he had a total of 8TB of iCloud+ storage (6TB plus 2TB from Apple One), and this made him eligible for video summaries for up to 15 cameras.

iOS 27 Beta 5 in the Home App tells you how many cameras get Apple Intelligence features. I thought I was on the highest iCloud plan, but *apparently* not! pic.twitter.com/WkbgD5Opon— Stephen Robles (@stephenrobles) August 11, 2026​

Based on the screenshots that Robles shared in a social media post, it appears that upgrading to the maximum 12TB iCloud+ plan may have an even higher limit.

Apple also said select iCloud+ plans provide increased daily usage limits for other new Apple Intelligence features, including image generation in the revamped Image Playground app. However, Apple has yet to list the specific limits for each iCloud+ plan, with those details likely to be shared by time iOS 27 is out of beta in September.

Apple said the new features are limited to higher iCloud+ plans because they rely on "powerful server models," which are undoubtedly more expensive to run. In other words, Apple is limiting these AI features to paying customers.

Article Link: iPhone Users Who Pay for Enough iCloud Storage Get New iOS 27 Perks

 

[I7guy]

Waiting for IOS/ipados 27. Sounds like a game changer.

 

[Sanmi]

**** you pay me

 

[ideal.dreams]

We have the Apple One Premier plan which includes 2TB of iCloud storage. We have just under a dozen HKSV cameras set up and after updating to dev beta 5, the Home app is now showing eligibility for AI descriptions/summaries for only 5 of our cameras unless I purchase an additional 2TB of storage for $9.99 a month.

Apparently being on the highest tier of the Apple One plan doesn't count. Hoping this is just a bug in dev beta 5 but we shall see!

 

[Aoligei]

So now, not only Apple is differentiate Apple Intelligent features with RAM amount. Not only regular iPhone does not getting all Apple Intelligent features, but now customer are being left over if they don’t subscribe with 2TB iCloud storage.

Now, if you want all Apple Intelligent feature, you need Pro iPhone with 2TB iCloud storage, get it. Double dipping.

Is Apple running out of money? They are milking their customer left and right.

 

[Aoligei]

Waiting for IOS/ipados 27. Sounds like a game changer.

iOs 27 is great, but the way Apple offering Apple Intelligent base on RAM amount and iCloud storage tire is gross

 

[ideal.dreams]

So now, not only Apple is differentiate Apple Intelligent features with RAM amount. Not only regular iPhone does not getting all Apple Intelligent features, but now customer are being left over if they don’t subscribe with 2TB iCloud storage.

Now, if you want all Apple Intelligent feature, you need Pro iPhone with 2TB iCloud storage, get it. Double dipping.

Is Apple running out of money? They are milking their customer left and right.

Won't anyone PLEASE think of the poor shareholders!!!

 

[krspkbl]

Cant wait for the price increase for iCloud+ on all tiers. You know it’s coming.

 

[klasma]

That’s why the EU wants Apple to allow alternative AI providers. 😉

 

[BeatCrazy]

We have the Apple One Premier plan which includes 2TB of iCloud storage. We have just under a dozen HKSV cameras set up and after updating to dev beta 5, the Home app is now showing eligibility for AI descriptions/summaries for only 5 of our cameras unless I purchase an additional 2TB of storage for $9.99 a month.

Apparently being on the highest tier of the Apple One plan doesn't count. Hoping this is just a bug in dev beta 5 but we shall see!

Good info.

I have six HKSV cameras and the 2TB Apple One Premier plan. I will have to make do with the limit of 5 AI summaries. I'm not in the mood to give them another $10/month

 

[triumvirate]

Lol. Moved our home monitoring system locally and off of paid cloud services. What a rip-off. Getting everything off of iCloud & cancelling it altogether this year because these prices are only going up for less benefits.

🍏

 

[jack5789]

Will this work on Apple devices that do not support Apple Intelligence?

 

[hovscorpion12]

How many people out of 1.5B+ users actually have HomeKit videos camera. I have to imagine that Apple is providing other advantages other than "oh look. I can have 20+ camera active. Outside of 2TB, what are you really providing us.

 

[hovscorpion12]

Will this work on Apple devices that do not support Apple Intelligence?

I don't believe so, no. The purpose of Apple Intelligence in this case is to provide generated video summaries.

 

[TOM1211]

if I stop paying ring probably works out about the same , only id feel better about it if it was a apple doorbell rather than third party

 

[amaze1499]

iCloud syncing is already horrifying. I can easily do without AI perks.

 

[Alex.ne]

Sounds like Apple is begging not to use their AI. Well, I won't.

 

[jarman92]

I know Robles is a tech guy so it makes somewhat more sense for him, but 9+ cameras in (what I presume is) a normal-sized house is insane.

 

[jarman92]

Will this work on Apple devices that do not support Apple Intelligence?

Apple says this in a footnote:

HomeKit Secure Video requires a home hub such as HomePod (2nd generation), HomePod mini, or Apple TV 4K with the latest operating system software. The owner of the home must have an Apple Intelligence–enabled iPhone, have Apple Intelligence enabled in the Home app, and subscribe to an eligible iCloud+ plan.

So apparently yes, as long as the owner of the Home has an AI-enabled iPhone to handle the processing.

 

[jarman92]

Lol. Moved our home monitoring system locally and off of paid cloud services. What a rip-off. Getting everything off of iCloud & cancelling it altogether this year because these prices are only going up for less benefits.

🍏

How is it a "rip-off?" 🤨 This is an additional feature of an existing subscription for no extra money, and AFAIK Apple hasn't removed any benefits from iCloud+.

 

[NightFox]

Misleading article title: there is no such thing as 'Enough iCloud Storage'.

 

[McScooby]

How is it a "rip-off?" 🤨 This is an additional feature of an existing subscription for no extra money, and AFAIK Apple hasn't removed any benefits from iCloud+.

Storage is now expensive, price increases imminent on all lines in 3,2,1….. or maybe October.

 

[Arran]

Good info.

I have six HKSV cameras and the 2TB Apple One Premier plan. I will have to make do with the limit of 5 AI summaries. I'm not in the mood to give them another $10/month

I'm in the same boat.

I'd happily trade some parts of my Apple One Premier sub for more camera processing - especially since Apple's putting the price up next month. Apple Arcade could go first as nobody uses it. Apple News could go next - since it's mostly used by me and I find it next to useless.

And to be honest, I've been thinking of ditching Apple Music too as it's a constant source of irritation. It regularly messes up my music library and wastes my time fixing it.

Icloud+, AppleTV and Fitness are the only worthwhile parts. Three out of six.

 

[Devnul0]

“have Apple Intelligence enabled in the Home app”

That implies to me that this “feature” can be disabled even if you’re on a qualifying plan. Good news.

 

[Oblivious.Robot]

I finally gave in and got the 2TB early this year, with kid and cats and every new vacation, it was impossible for the photos app to not max out every other month even at 256gb, and I figured it’s easier than buying high gig models of iPhone for family instead.