iCloud Greyed Out in Settings on iPhone? [Reasons & Fixes]

Your iPhone contains a lot of important data, including contacts, photos, videos, WhatsApp messages, notes, and more. However, it can be very frustrating when you find “iCloud greyed out in settings” on your iPhone, especially if you rely on iCloud to back up your iPhone data. But don't worry, this post will show you effective fixes to fix iCloud grayed out on iPhone.

Why Is My iCloud Greyed Out on iPhone?

When you are facing the “iCloud settings greyed out” issue on your iPhone, it's crucial to understand the root cause of the iCloud grayed out issue. Why is my iCloud greyed out? Some possible reasons are listed below:

• iCloud Server Issues: During iCloud server downtime or maintenance, accessing the iCloud service on your iPhone can be challenging.
• Network Connection Problems: Poor Wi-Fi or cellular signals can prevent your iPhone from communicating with iCloud servers, resulting in a grayed-out display.
• Outdated iOS Version: Running an outdated version of iOS on your iPhone can cause a variety of issues, including problems like “iCloud greyed out in settings on iPhone”.
• Full iCloud Storage: When your iCloud storage is full, certain features may become inaccessible, causing iCloud options to appear grayed out on your iPhone.

How to Fix iCloud Greyed Out in Settings on iPhone - 8 Fixes

Once you understand the root cause, it's time to use various solutions to fix “iCloud greyed out on iPhone”. In this section, you will learn effective fixes for this issue.

Fix 1. Check Apple System Status

Although not common, in some cases, certain components of iCloud or the service may be down. This can result in users being unable to access certain features and settings. apple provides a handy web page to monitor the status of the service to determine if any of the services are experiencing difficulties.

Go to the Apple's System Status page, which details various iCloud-related services. By referring to this page, you can investigate why you can't access your iCloud settings. Services that are working properly are indicated by green dots. Conversely, yellow or red dots indicate potential problems or service outages.

Fix 2. Restart Your iPhone

One straightforward yet impactful troubleshooting measure is to restart your iPhone, which can refresh system processes and potentially fix the iCloud greyed out problem. To do that:

• Press and hold the Power button until the slider appears.
• Slide the slider to power off, then wait for a few seconds.
• Press and hold the Power button again until the Apple logo appears.

Fix 3. Sign Out and Sign Back Into Your Apple ID

By signing out and then signing back into your iCloud account, you can refresh authentication tokens and potentially resolve any underlying account-related issues. Follow these steps to initiate the process:

Step 1: Navigate to Settings > Your Apple ID name on your iPhone. Scroll down and tap Sign Out, then enter your Apple ID password.

Step 2: Tap Turn Off and then Sign Out to complete the sign-out process > Tap Sign In and enter your Apple ID password to sign back into your account.

Fix 4. Update iOS for iCloud Greyed Out

Updating your iPhone's iOS to the latest version ensures compatibility with iCloud services and resolves potential errors that may cause settings to appear grayed out. To update iOS, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Go to General > Software Update.

Step 2: Tap Download and Install to launch the iOS software update > Enter your screen lock passcode and tap Install Now.

Fix 5. Repair iOS System Issue with FoneTool Repair

If basic fixes don't resolve the iCloud greyed out issue, the problem might be deeper system corruption. FoneTool Repair specializes in fixing iOS system issues that can cause settings malfunctions and iCloud access problems.

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to your computer, install and launch FoneTool Repair on your computer. From there, select iOS System Repair.

Step 2:  Choose Standard Repair mode (no data loss), and select Start.

Step 3: Pick the firmware version you want, specify the target storage location, and click Download to retrieve the firmware.

Step 4: After the download finishes, click Start Repair to begin the process.

After completion, your iPhone will restart and iCloud functionality should be restored.

Fix 6. Update Your Apple ID Password

Ensuring the accuracy of your Apple ID password is crucial, as iCloud operations are closely tied to the status of your Apple ID. Consider resetting your Apple ID password on your iPhone with these steps:

Step 1: Launch the Settings app, locate your Apple ID name, and choose Password & Security.

Step 2: Select Change Password and provide your current Apple ID password when prompted > Set a new password for your Apple ID, then confirm it by entering it again.

Step 3: Tap Change or Change Password to finalize and save the updated Apple ID password.

Fix 7. Reset Network Settings

Resetting the network settings on your iPhone can clear network configurations and potentially resolve connectivity issues that may be impacting iCloud functionality. Follow these steps to reset your network settings:

Step 1: Navigate to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone on your device.

Step 2: Tap Reset and choose Reset Network Settings from the pop-up window > Enter your screen lock passcode, then confirm by tapping Reset.

Fix 8. Remove Screen Time Restriction

Screen Time restrictions could potentially be the reason behind the iCloud button appearing greyed out on your iPhone. If you have Screen Time enabled on your device, it might be restricting access to your Apple ID settings. To address this issue, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Settings app and tap Screen Time > Select Content & Privacy Restrictions.

Step 2: If Content & Privacy Restrictions are active, navigate to the Allow Changes section.

Step 3: Choose Account Changes and adjust it to Allow. You might be prompted to enter your Screen Time passcode for verification.

Fix 9. Factory Reset Your iPhone

Before opting for a full factory reset that erases everything, try a safer approach using FoneTool Repair. Its Reset iOS Devices feature can resolve underlying system configuration conflicts that cause iCloud to be greyed out, without deleting your personal photos, messages, or apps.

Be sure to back up your iPhone to your computer using a safe iPhone backup tool before initiating a restore to factory settings. Once you have protected your data, follow the steps below to reset your iPhone to factory settings:

Step 1: Launch FoneTool Repair and connect your iPhone via USB cable.

Step 2: Select Reset Device.

Step 3: For the safest option, select Standard Reset (This will reset all system settings to default without erasing your personal data).

Step 4. Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm and start the process.

After the reset is complete, your iPhone will restart. Check if the iCloud option in Settings is now accessible. If the issue is extremely severe, you can then consider the Advanced Reset option within the same tool, which acts as a factory reset, but ensure you have a backup first.

Bonus Tip: A Better Alternative to iCloud for iPhone Backup

When your iCloud storage is nearing its limit, it may cause the iCloud options to appear grayed out. While expanding your iCloud storage plan is a viable solution, there is an alternative worth considering. Here FoneTool is a user-friendly software tool that helps you securely back up the data from your phone to any computer.

With support for more than 18 data categories, you can easily protect photos, videos, documents, and other important files stored on your iPhone. So, how to use FoneTool to back up your iPhone data? First download FoneTool on your PC and follow the simple steps below:

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to your computer using a compatible USB cable. If prompted, tap Trust on your iPhone.

Step 2: On the FoneTool Home screen, navigate to Phone Backup > Selective Backup and click Get Started to initiate the process.

Step 3: Ensure you have selected each desired file by clicking the respective icons. Once done, click OK to proceed.

Step 4: Choose a preferred storage location and then click Start Backup to commence the backup process.

The Bottom Line

With the right guidance, fixing “iCloud greyed out in settings” on your iPhone can be a simple process. There are multiple effective fixes available, from basic troubleshooting to using professional tools like FoneTool Repair for system-level issues. For persistent iCloud problems, FoneTool Repair offers comprehensive iOS system repair, while FoneTool provides reliable local backup solutions as an iCloud alternative.