"I am unable to access the details of my own Apple ID via the iPhone menu. It's grayed out and does not allow me to select or do anything on that. I am aware of my password, and I reset the password as well. How to access this and make it active?"
- from Apple Community
When using an iPhone or iPad, the Apple ID is a very important tool that helps us access various services such as the App Store, iCloud, Apple Music, and more. However, some users may encounter the issue where the Apple ID is greyed out and cannot be clicked, preventing them from changing settings or signing in/out of their account. Why is Apple ID greyed out in Settings? Below, we will explore the reasons behind this issue and how to resolve it.
Before discussing solutions, it's important to understand the causes. When you find that the Apple ID settings are greyed out and cannot be clicked, it may be due to one of the following reasons:
After we know the reasons for Apple ID greyed out on iPhone, here are seven basic solutions you can try.
The simplest and most direct method is to force restart your iPhone. The Apple ID greyed out issue may be caused by a temporary software glitch on your device, and a force restart can quickly refresh the device's status.
Here is how to do it:
For iPhone 8 and newer models:
For iPhone 7/7 Plus:
For iPhone 6 and older models:
Sometimes, the Apple ID is greyed out due to a temporary outage of Apple's servers. You can check the Apple System Status page to see the status of Apple ID or related services. If the status is yellow or red, it indicates there is an issue with the servers. In this case, please be patient and wait for Apple to resolve the problem.
Another common reason for the Apple ID sign-out being greyed out is a network connection issue. Make sure your device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi or cellular network. To do this, follow these steps:
Step 1. Go to "Settings", then "Wi-Fi" or "Cellular". Check if the network is connected and working properly.
Step 2. If the connection is unstable, try disconnecting from Wi-Fi and reconnecting, or switch to another Wi-Fi network.
Step 3. If the issue persists, go to "Settings" > "General" > "Reset" > "Reset Network Settings" to reset your network settings.
A greyed-out Apple ID may be due to Screen Time restrictions limiting access to the settings. You should have the ability to change your account settings enabled on your iPhone.
Here's how it works:
Step 1. Open "Settings", then tap "Screen Time".
Step 2. Tap "Content & Privacy Restrictions".
Step 3. Check if the "Account Changes" restriction is enabled. If it is, select "Allow".
Step 4. If you're unsure about the restriction settings, you can choose to turn off Content & Privacy Restrictions.
A forgotten or recently changed Screen Time passcode is another common cause of the greyed-out Apple ID issue. You can either change your Screen Time passcode or disable it.
Here are the steps:
Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "Screen Time".
Step 2. Tap "Change Screen Time Passcode" or "Turn Off Screen Time".
Step 3. Follow the prompts to enter your current passcode, then proceed to change or disable it. (Forget Screen Time password?)
When the Apple ID greyed out in Settings issue persists, resetting all settings can resolve configuration errors on the device without affecting your data.
To do this, follow the steps below:
Step 1. Open "Settings" and tap "General".
Step 2. Scroll down and select "Transfer or Reset iPhone".
Step 3. Tap "Reset", then choose "Reset All Settings".
Step 4. Enter your device passcode to confirm the action.
Note: Restoring your iPhone to its factory settings is also a solution, but it will erase all content on the device. For safety, make sure to back up your iPhone before deleting them. Additionally, you can click here to learn more about Reset All Settings vs. Erase All Content and Settings.
Besides, an outdated iOS version can cause the Apple ID greyed out. Updating the system can resolve these compatibility or bug-related problems.
Here are the steps:
Step 1. Go to "Settings" and tap "General".
Step 2. Tap "Software Update" to check for available updates. (iPhone stuck on a software update?)
Step 3. If a new version is available, tap "Download and Install".
If you've tried all the basic methods and your Apple ID is still greyed out, the advanced way is to remove the Apple ID. For this, we recommend iOS Unlocker, a professional iPhone unlocking tool. It allows you to remove the Apple ID without a password, allowing them to log into another Apple ID and fix the Apple ID greyed out on iPhone with simple steps, without any complicated procedures.
Highlights of iOS Unlocker:
Here is how to use iOS Unlocker to fix Apple ID greyed out in Settings:
01Launch iOS Unlocker on your computer and select the "Unlock Apple ID" mode.
02Connect your iOS device to establish the connection, then click "Start to Unlock" to begin.
03If the "Find My" feature is turned off, the program will begin unlocking the Apple ID on your device. If "Find My iPhone" is enabled, please go to "Settings" > "General" > "Reset All Settings" to set it up first.
04Wait a moment, and it will successfully unlock your Apple ID without any hassle.
The Apple ID greyed out issue can be caused by various factors, but with the basic fixes and advanced tools provided in this article, you can easily resolve the problem. For users who need a quick and professional solution, we recommend using iOS Unlocker to restore your device to normal functionality as soon as possible.
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How to Fix Updating Apple ID Settings Stuck [Reasons & Fixes]