What I think is that in 13.1 iCloud private relay can no longer work with other third-party VPNs at the same time, even if you just turn on the switch. My test results are that disabling iCloud private relay or uninstalling the third-party VPN application can solve this problem.
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WARNING for 13.1 users: If you have a third-party VPN app installed and Private Relay enabled, it will break entire iCloud section in System Settings
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Private Relay has never worked with third-party VPNs, at least with Mullvad, just launching the application, without even connecting, was enough for Private Relay to turn itself off, then I usually had to reboot my Mac in order to have Private Relay working again.
With the last update is different, when the problem showed up, the Mullvad daemon wasn't even running, the VPN was just another app installed on my Mac and to stop this problem I had to uninstall the app.
What I would like to know is if this is a bug in 13.1, or if Apple has introduced a new functionality and the VPN app's devs, Mullvad in my case, need to update their app. At least, I would know where to look for for updates.
I've found an issue ticket opened on the Mullvad app's Github page, but no one has answered yet, and this thread on Apple's developer platform, but they talk about problems with VPNs in Ventura.
Same issue here: "Private Relay has been disabled" notification right after updating Ventura + unresponsive Settings app when opening the Account section. I have ExpressVPN installed but disabled (no active subscription). I removed the (disabled) configuration and uninstalled the ExpressVPN app just in case, but it still does not work...
Yep same here. 13.1 has a bug now which causes system settings to hang with relay on. I had to turn relay off to make system settings operate again. Will keep relay off until fixed.
I now have Private Relay working, as well as the System Settings app, but I had to completely uninstall the Mullvad app.
I use Nord and it works just fine with or without private relay.
No it does not, have had no vpn related issues whatsoever on Ventura 13 beta to 13.1 which im currently running, that weren't being caused by my actual VPNs application which wasn't related to ventura in the slightest.
A problem isn't always the fault of an upgrade, nor is it ubiquitous upon your initial discovery. Give the world a little search or two just in case, save some internet paper and what not lol
A problem isn't always the fault of an upgrade, nor is it ubiquitous upon your initial discovery. Give the world a little search or two just in case, save some internet paper and what not lol
Yesterday, 16 December 2022, Apple has updated the Private Relay page https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212614
Private Relay is no longer listed as “Beta”.
About VPNs:
“If your system settings prevent Private Relay from working
In System Settings on your Mac, you might see an alert that says "Some of your system settings prevent Private Relay from working." If you do, a third-party app — such as a VPN or internet filtering software — might have installed settings or extensions that are incompatible with Private Relay. For example, the third-party app might have installed a kernel extension or applied custom packet filter rules.
If you want to use Private Relay on your Mac, turn off or uninstall the third-party app.”
Private Relay is no longer listed as “Beta”.
About VPNs:
“If your system settings prevent Private Relay from working
In System Settings on your Mac, you might see an alert that says "Some of your system settings prevent Private Relay from working." If you do, a third-party app — such as a VPN or internet filtering software — might have installed settings or extensions that are incompatible with Private Relay. For example, the third-party app might have installed a kernel extension or applied custom packet filter rules.
If you want to use Private Relay on your Mac, turn off or uninstall the third-party app.”
Great news...too bad they only updated the page 3 days after it was crashing our iCloud settings.
Glad I saw this. I had this problem (iCloud settings hanging). But I'm not sure it had anything to do with 3rd party vpns, since I deleted Nord VPN and the problem still persisted. It wasn't until I turned off private relay (which was really difficult to do as it kept hanging trying to reach that setting) that things were working again (with or without Nord VPN installed).
You might want to search and see if you still have a plist file for Nord on your system; delete it.
Private Relay and other iCloud functions can be disabled with a profile.
Details https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/permanently-disable-icloud-private-relay.2332146/ and https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...after-update-to-ventura.2369089/post-31797126
The easiest way to create profiles now is with iMazing Profile Editor
https://apps.apple.com/app/imazing-profile-editor/id1487860882
https://imazing.com/guides/getting-started-with-imazing-profile-editor
Details https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/permanently-disable-icloud-private-relay.2332146/ and https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...after-update-to-ventura.2369089/post-31797126
The easiest way to create profiles now is with iMazing Profile Editor
https://apps.apple.com/app/imazing-profile-editor/id1487860882
https://imazing.com/guides/getting-started-with-imazing-profile-editor
Home Network Protection was blocking traffic from my Mac because I had Plex Media Server on it. I had to disable HNP for my Mac in router settings.
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NordVPN and no problem here on my devices. Privacy relay and iCloud settings and vpn on. Tested iCloud settings on iPad Air 5, iPhone 13 PM, and MacBook. No problems accessing iCloud settings with VPN on or off. 13.1. Guess I'm lucky. 
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M1 MacBook Air. Never had Private Relay on. OpenVPN installed and connected. No problems on 13.1.
I had this problem and ExpressVPN seemed absolutely clueless and were not helpful.
I uninstalled ExpressVPN, turned off Private Relay, and then reinstalled ExpressVPN. I can now use it and the iCloud system preferences works normally. Apple Silicon Mac, OS 13.1, ExpressVPN 11.15.0.
I uninstalled ExpressVPN, turned off Private Relay, and then reinstalled ExpressVPN. I can now use it and the iCloud system preferences works normally. Apple Silicon Mac, OS 13.1, ExpressVPN 11.15.0.