FAQ
Questions, answered
The short version: micloud works alongside iCloud, never touches it, and everything that matters - your data, your keys - stays yours.
Does micloud replace iCloud?
No. micloud works alongside iCloud. You keep using iCloud exactly as you do now; micloud quietly keeps a second, independent copy on storage you own, so nothing you care about lives in only one place. It's the backup half of good 3-2-1 hygiene, not a replacement.
Does micloud change anything in my iCloud?
No. micloud is strictly one-way and read-only: it reads from iCloud through Apple's own frameworks and can never write to, change, or delete anything in your account. Your iCloud carries on completely untouched.
Do I own the Mac on the Hosted plan?
No, and that's deliberate. Hosted is a dedicated Mac that mineracks owns and runs for you - the same managed-Mac-hosting model as MacStadium or Amazon's EC2 Mac (we handle the hardware, power, network, and upkeep; you get exclusive use of it). What's unambiguously yours is your data: your own private, encrypted Nextcloud and Immich instance, your keys, exportable and portable at any time. And only you ever sign into your iCloud on it.
Is running a Mac in a data centre allowed?
Yes. macOS runs only on Apple hardware - which is exactly what a Mac mini is - and managed Mac hosting is a long-established, mainstream category (providers like MacStadium and Amazon's EC2 Mac do exactly this). We run genuine Apple hardware, signed into your own Apple ID, and we don't resell or sublicense macOS or iCloud - your relationship with Apple stays directly yours.
So who sits between me and Apple?
No one. Your Apple ID, your iCloud, your data. We operate and maintain the Mac to keep your copy current; we never come between you and Apple.
Can you log into my Mac or my iCloud?
You, and only you, sign into your iCloud - we never have your Apple ID or password (on Concierge you type it yourself in a screen-share). We do manage the Mac to keep your backup healthy, but it's only a transient bridge; your data lives on your own storage, encrypted with a key only you hold, which we can't read.
How does my data stay private?
Your copy lives on a Nextcloud and Immich instance that's yours alone - never a shared pool - encrypted in transit and at rest with a key only you hold, so even we can't read it. More on how you hold the keys.
What if I want to leave?
Everything's in open, standard formats (Nextcloud, Immich) you can export and take anywhere - your data comes with you. No lock-in, ever.
Do I have to be technical?
No. Self-host is for the hands-on; Concierge and Hosted are done for you - a real person sets it up and keeps it running.
Still have a question?
Ask us anything - we'd rather you were sure before you commit. Or join the waitlist and we'll walk you through it.
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