How to Fix iCloud Grayed Out on iPhone Settings

Is iCloud grayed out on your iPhone settings?

There are instances when the iCloud icon on your iPhone or the Backup Now option is unavailable. 

When this happens, it usually indicates an issue with Apple’s services related to iCloud. 

icloud grayed out on iphone settings

On the other hand, network-related issues and improper configurations can also cause this issue. 

Today, we will show you how to fix iCloud if it’s grayed out on your iPhone settings. 

Let’s begin!

1. Check Apple Servers. 

One of the main reasons why iCloud is grayed out on your iPhone is offline servers. 

Since iCloud is an online cloud storage, its servers play a big role in providing features and services. 

To confirm this, visit Apple’s status page to check if there are problems with iCloud and its services. 

Apple Server Status

Unfortunately, server-related issues can’t be resolved on your end. If the servers are down, the only thing you can do is wait for their team to resolve the issue. 

On the other hand, you can proceed to the next solution if there’s nothing wrong with Apple’s servers. 

2. Restart Your iPhone. 

Restarting your iPhone is one of the quickest ways to resolve minor issues with your device. 

This should reload your system resources which should fix temporary errors that may have occurred. 

If you are using an iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, 14, or later, here’s what you need to do: 

  1. Hold down the Volume Down button and Side button until the ‘Slide to Power Off’ prompt appears. 
  2. Now, drag the slider to the right and wait for 30 seconds. 
  3. Press the Side button afterward to turn on your device. 
Restart iPhone

For older models, follow the steps below: 

  1. Locate the Power button on your device. 
  2. Now, hold the button until the ‘Slide to Power Off’ prompt shows up.
  3. Drag the slider to the right and wait for 30 seconds before turning on your device. 
icloud grayed out on iphone settings

Once done, go back to settings to check if the problem is solved. 

3. Check Your Network Connection. 

Slow or unstable internet connections could also cause iCloud to become unavailable on your iPhone. 

To confirm this, run a test on your network using Fast.com to measure its bandwidth. 

Fast.com

If the test indicates a problem with your connection, power cycle your modem to re-establish the connection with your ISP’s servers. 

  1. Find the power cable of your modem and unplug it. 
  2. Wait for 5 to 10 seconds. 
  3. Reconnect the power cable and wait for your modem to initialize. 
Restart Router

Rerun the test afterward to check if the problem is solved. If not, report the issue to your service provider and ask them to fix their service. 

4. Use Cellular Data. 

If Wi-Fi is currently unavailable, you can use cellular data to manage your iCloud account. 

However, keep in mind that this can consume a lot of bandwidth, especially if you are going to perform a backup. 

To enable your cellular data: 

  1. Swipe downwards from the upper right corner of your screen. 
  2. When the Control Center appears, tap on the Cellular Data icon on the network pane. 
icloud grayed out on iphone settings

Note

  • The cellular data icon will turn green when it’s enabled. 
  • A 5G or LTE icon will appear beside the signal indicator on your status bar when cellular data is enabled. 

Try using iCloud again to check if the problem is solved. 

5. Toggle iCloud Off/On. 

This process is similar to restarting your device. Toggling iCloud off and on should refresh its data and eliminate bugs or glitches that may have occurred during use. 

Here’s what you need to do: 

  1. First, open Settings on your iPhone. 
  2. Tap on your Apple ID on top of the main page. 
icloud grayed out on iphone settings
  1. Next, scroll down and tap on iCloud
  2. Look for Back Up This iPhone.
  3. Tap the toggle switch beside it to disable iCloud. 
Back Up iPhone
  1. Restart your iPhone. 

Once done, enable iCloud and check if the problem is solved. 

Related: How to Fix Old Apple Device Still Showing on Find My


6. Update Your iPhone. 

A problematic version of iOS could also be the reason iCloud is grayed out on your iPhone settings. 

To rule this out, make sure that you have the latest version of iOS installed. This way, we can ensure that your device received the most recent patch to fix bugs and errors. 

Check out the steps below to update your iPhone: 

  1. First, go to the main menu and open Settings
  2. Navigate to General > Software Update
  3. If there’s a new iOS version available, tap Download and Install
  4. Once the new software is ready, follow the prompts to install the update. 
Update iPhone

Note

  • Your device can restart several times while installing the update. 
  • Make sure that your iPhone has at least 50% battery before installing updates. It’s best to keep your device plugged into the wall charger to avoid interruptions. 
  • Allow at least 15 minutes for the update to install, especially if it’s a major update (iOS 14 to iOS 15).

Go back to settings and check if iCloud is still grayed out. 

7. Check Profiles & Device Management. 

If your iPhone came from your company, there’s a chance that it has a management profile in place. 

This means that your company placed some restrictions on your iPhone, which may include features related to iCloud. 

In this case, it’s best that you let the IT department handle this issue if your phone is still owned by the company. 

On the other hand, you can follow the steps below if you already own the device: 

  1. Launch Settings on your iPhone. 
  2. Now, tap on General
  3. Access the VPN & Device Management tab. 
icloud grayed out on iphone settings
  1. Select the profile you want to remove. 
  2. Tap on Remove Management and follow the prompts. 
Remove Management Profile

Note

Removing a profile will delete all settings, apps, and data associated with the profile. 

Once done, restart your device and check if the problem is solved. 

8. Check Restrictions. 

Restrictions is a security feature on your iPhone that comes in handy if you don’t want your children or members of your family to mess up with your settings. 

If you have enabled this feature before, then there’s a chance that you’ve forgotten about it. 

Even if you don’t, we suggest checking this setting to be sure. 

Follow the steps below to guide you through the process: 

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone. 
  2. Now, tap on Screen Time
Screen Time
  1. Go to Content & Privacy Restrictions. Provide your passcode when asked. 
  2. Tap the toggle switch next to Content & Privacy Restrictions to disable it. 
icloud grayed out on iphone settings

Restart your device and see if iCloud is still grayed out on your iPhone settings. 

9. Refresh Your Apple ID. 

You can try refreshing your Apple ID if you still encounter problems with iCloud. 

To do this, you’ll need to sign out your Apple ID on your iPhone and log back in after a few minutes. 

See the steps below to sign out your Apple ID: 

  1. Go to Settings on your iPhone. 
  2. Tap on your Apple ID on the main page of the settings.
icloud grayed out on iphone settings
  1. Scroll down and tap on Sign Out
  2. Follow the instructions to continue. 
Sign Out Apple ID
  1. Restart your iPhone.

After 3-5 minutes, sign in to your Apple ID and check if the problem is solved. 

Related: How to Recover Forgotten iCloud Password


10. Reset Network Settings. 

If the iCloud option is still grayed out on your iPhone settings, we suggest resetting your network configurations. 

This way, you can ensure that the problem is not caused by an issue with your internet connection. 

Here’s what you need to do: 

  1. On your iPhone, go to the main menu and open Settings
  2. Now, tap on General
  3. Look for Transfer or Reset iPhone and tap on it. 
  4. Tap the Reset option and select Reset Network Settings
  5. Follow the prompts to continue. 
icloud grayed out on iphone settings

Note

  • Your iPhone will immediately restart upon resetting your network configurations. 
  • It may appear to be stuck in the Apple logo. Wait for the process to complete which usually takes around 5 to 10 minutes. 

Go back to iCloud to check if the problem is solved. 

11. Contact Apple. 

If none of the solutions above worked, it’s best that you leave the matter to the professionals. 

Head to Apple’s support page and look up the issue you’re experiencing. If there are available solutions, the site should suggest several fixes that you can follow. 

icloud grayed out on iphone settings

On the other hand, you can also get in touch with their team through chat or phone if you need to resolve the issue ASAP. 

That ends our guide on how to fix iCloud if it’s grayed out on your iPhone settings. 

For your questions and other concerns, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below, and we’ll do our best to answer them. 

If this guide helped you, please share it.

Author

  • Mako Young

    Mako is a staff writer at Saint. He's been writing about tech for more than a decade. When he isn't reading about the latest news on Apple, he's busy studying cybersecurity, cryptocurrency, cloud computing, and other IT-related sectors. His exceptional work graces technology and Apple-related blogs like How-To Geek, VEED.io, Macgasm, onMac, PhotoWorkout, GameRant, and many more. He also has a Bachelors in Computer Science and has been writing since 2018, with over 400 posts published. LinkedIn X (Twitter)

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