iOS Assistant
 
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iCloud Greyed Out on iPhone in Settings? - 11 Fixes & Best Alternative

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iCloud is a commonly used data synchronization and backup tool for Apple users. However, sometimes, users may find that iCloud is grayed out and unclickable. This issue can prevent normal backups, data synchronization, or storage management. This article will explain the reasons behind iCloud is grayed out on iPhone and provide detailed solutions to help you quickly restore normal functionality.

icloud greyed out

 

Part 1. Why Is My iCloud Rreyed Out in Settings?

If your iCloud is greyed out on your iPhone, the following are possible reasons:

  • Network Connection Issues: If the device is not connected to Wi-Fi or a mobile network, iCloud functionality may be restricted.
  • Parental Control Restrictions: Certain accounts may have restrictions set, preventing access to iCloud settings.
  • Apple Server Issues: If Apple's servers are undergoing maintenance or experiencing a failure, iCloud features may be temporarily unavailable.
  • Device System Issues: System malfunctions or software bugs can cause settings pages to be grayed out and unavailable.
  • Account Login Issues: Problems with logging into your Apple ID or credential issues can also result in iCloud settings being unavailable.

Part 2. What to Do If Your iCloud Is Greyed Out?

After we know the possible reason for iCloud greyed out on iPhone, here are 11 effective solutions you can try.

Fix 1. Agree to Any New iCloud Terms and Conditions

When Apple introduces new iCloud service features, users may be required to agree to the terms and conditions. If this is not confirmed in a timely manner, the issue of iCloud being grayed out in settings may occur.

Fix 2. Check Network Connection

All iCloud features require a stable network connection. If the device is not connected to Wi-Fi or the signal is unstable, iCloud features may be grayed out and unavailable. Therefore, checking the network status is the first step in resolving the issue.

To do this, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Open "Settings" > "Wi-Fi" and make sure you are connected to a stable network.

Step 2. If the issue persists, go to "Settings" > "General" > "Transfer or Reset iPhone" > "Reset".

Step 3. Select "Reset Network Settings", enter your password, and confirm the action.

reset network settings to fix icloud greyed out

Step 4. After restarting the device, check if the iCloud settings being grayed out is resolved.

Fix 3. Check Apple System Status

Sometimes, iCloud features being grayed out is caused by system maintenance or temporary outages on Apple's servers. In such cases, users need to verify if the issue originates from Apple's servers themselves. Just open Apple's official System Status page, look for iCloud-related services, such as iCloud Drive or iCloud Backup, and confirm if their status is normal. If the status indicates an outage or maintenance, simply wait for the issue to be resolved.

check apple system status to fix icloud greyed out

Fix 4. Restart iPhone

Minor device glitches can cause the "iCloud is greyed out on iPhone" issue. Restarting the device is the simplest and most direct solution.

To restart the iPhone, follow these steps:

For iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, or later:

  • Press and hold both the "Volume" button and the "Side" button until the power-off slider appears.
  • Drag the slider to turn off your device, then wait about 30 seconds for it to power down.
  • To turn the device back on, press and hold the "Side" button until the Apple logo appears.

For iPhone 6, 7, 8, or SE (2nd or 3rd generation):

  • Press and hold the "Side" button until the power-off slider appears.
  • Drag the slider to turn off your device, then wait about 30 seconds for it to shut down.
  • To power the device back on, press and hold the "Side" button until the Apple logo appears.

For iPhone SE (1st generation), 5, or earlier:

  • Press and hold the "Top" button until the power-off slider appears.
  • Drag the slider to turn off your device, then wait about 30 seconds for it to shut down.
  • To turn the device back on, press and hold the "Top" button until the Apple logo appears.

restart iphone to fix icloud greyed out

Fix 5. Sign Out and Sign Back into Apple ID

Account login issues can prevent iCloud from functioning properly. For example, Apple ID verification failure or lost login credentials can cause features to be grayed out. Re-signing into your account usually resolves these issues quickly.

Here's how it works:

Step 1. Open "Settings" and tap on your "Apple ID" at the top.

Step 2. Scroll down to the bottom and tap "Sign Out", then enter your password to confirm. (Can't sign out of your Apple ID?)

Step 3. After restarting your device, sign back into your Apple ID and ensure the account status is normal.

resign in apple id to fix icloud greyed out

Fix 6. Update iOS Version

System glitches or software bugs are common causes of iCloud settings becoming unavailable. Apple typically addresses known issues through system updates, so checking for and updating your device's system is an important step. Here are the steps:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Software Update".

Step 2. If a new version is available, tap "Download and Install".

update ios to fix icloud greyed out

Step 3. After the update is complete, check if iCloud is functioning properly.

Fix 7. Change Apple ID Password

Ensure that your Apple ID password is correct, as iCloud functionality depends on the proper status of your Apple ID. If needed, try resetting your Apple ID password on your iPhone. To do this, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Open the "Settings" app, tap your "Apple ID" name, and select "Password & Security".

Step 2. Tap "Change Password" and enter your current Apple ID password.

change app id password to fix icloud greyed out

Step 3. Enter a new password for your Apple ID, then re-enter it to confirm.

Step 4. Tap "Change" or "Change Password" to save the new Apple ID password.

Fix 8. Remove Screen Time Restrictions

If you've enabled Screen Time on your device, it may be restricting access to your Apple ID settings. To check and disable it:

Step 1. Open "Settings" and tap "Screen Time".

Step 2. Select "Content & Privacy Restrictions".

content and privacy restrictions

Step 3. If Content & Privacy Restrictions are enabled, scroll down to the "Allow Changes" section.

Step 4. Tap "Account Changes" and set it to "Allow". You may be prompted to enter your Screen Time passcode.

remove screen time restriction to fix icloud greyed out

Fix 9. Remove Configuration Profiles

When your iPhone is supervised by another computer or device, it may restrict your ability to fully control your device. Removing configuration profiles can resolve this issue.

Here is how to do it:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "VPN & Device Management" on your iPhone.

remove configuration profiles to fix icloud greyed out

Step 2. Tap "Remove Profile" and enter the removal password to delete the configuration profiles.

Fix 10. Use iOS System Recovery

If the above methods are ineffective, you can try using a professional tool to fix iOS system issues. iOS System Recovery is a specialized iPhone system repair tool designed to address a wide range of iOS problems, including iCloud being grayed out, device freezing, the white screen, boot loops, and other complex issues. It supports fixing system problems without erasing device data and offers both Standard Mode and Advanced Mode options to meet different user needs.

Here is how to fix iCloud is greyed out on iPhone using iOS System Recovery:

01Click the download button below to get the tool. Once the download is complete, open the program and select "iOS System Recovery".

02Connect your iPhone to your computer and trust the connection. Then, click "Start" and follow the on-screen instructions to put your device into recovery mode.

click the start the button

03Choose "Standard Mode" and click "Confirm" to proceed. The tool will begin downloading the necessary iOS firmware.

select the repair mode

04Once the download is complete, click "Repair" to begin the repair process. The tool will fix your device and resolve the issue of the iCloud being greyed out on your iPhone.

fix icloud greyed out using ios system recovery

Fix 11. Restore iPhone to Factory Settings

When all other methods fail, restoring the device to factory settings can be used as a last resort. Please note that this method will erase all data on the device. Therefore, back up your iPhone to your computer to avoid data loss first.

Here are the steps:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Transfer or Reset iPhone".

Step 2. Tap "Erase All Content and Settings" and enter your password to confirm the action.

Step 3. Once completed, set up your device again and check the iCloud status.

reset iphone to fix icloud greyed out

Part 3. A Better Alternative to iCloud to Back Up iPhone

If iCloud is consistently unavailable, Coolmuster iOS Assistant is a powerful alternative for backup. This tool supports data backup and recovery without being limited by network or storage space. Whether it's photos, contacts, or text messages, it allows you to manage them with ease.

Key features of Coolmuster iOS Assistant:

  • Easily back up and restore your iPhone/iPad/iPod with just one click.
  • Automatically scan and display all files on your device on the main interface.
  • Allow you to export all data from iOS devices to iTunes or your PC for backup.
  • Support a wide range of data types, including messages, contacts, music, videos, photos, books, bookmarks, apps, calendars, and more.
  • Fully compatible with all iDevice generations, including the latest iPhone models such as iPhone 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, and more.

To back up your iPhone to the computer using iOS Assistant, follow the steps below:

01First, download and install the software on your computer. Then, connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable.

02On your iPhone, tap "Trust" when prompted and follow the on-screen instructions to allow the software to detect your device. Once your iPhone is recognized, the main interface will appear.

the main interface of ios assistant

03To back up your entire iPhone, go to the "Super Toolkit" section and select "iTunes Backup & Restore". Click "Backup" and choose your iPhone from the drop-down menu. Next, click "Browse" to choose a folder on your computer where the backup will be saved, then click "OK" to start the backup process.

how to back up entire iphone to computer using ios assistant

If you want to back up specific files instead, navigate to the "My Device" section and select the file types from the left panel. Preview and select the files you wish to back up, then click "Export" to save them to your computer.

how to selectively back up iphone to computer using ios assistant

Video Tutorial:

Words in the End

When you encounter the iCloud greyed out issue, follow the methods outlined in the article to troubleshoot and resolve them. In most cases, these steps can restore normal functionality. If you're looking for a fast, data-loss-free solution to fix system issues like iCloud is greyed out on iPhone, we highly recommend using iOS System Recovery. It is professional, secure, and efficient, making it the best tool for resolving various iOS issues.

Additionally, if you're seeking a more convenient way to back up your iPhone data, Coolmuster iOS Assistant is a powerful alternative to iCloud. It allows you to easily manage and back up your data to your computer.

Related Articles:

[Solved] How to Fix Apple ID Greyed Out in Settings on iPhone/iPad?

How to Fix iTunes Back Up Now Greyed Out? - Solutions Unveiled!

Sign Out Is Not Available Due to Restrictions? - 5 Quick Fixes

[Solved] How Can You Fix It When iPhone Won't Back Up iCloud?

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