How to Fix iCloud Backup Greyed Out?
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Written By Harsha Alamchandani
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Approved By Tanushree Chatterjee
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Updated on 30 May, 2024 -
Min Reading 3 Min - Share
Summary: Is the iCloud Backup option in your iPhone greyed out? You can’t enable or turn it on? Here we share 7 ways to fix iCloud backup greyed out problem. Also learn how to restore iPhone from iTunes or iCloud when backup is not accessible, with the help of Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone.
‘My iCloud Backup is greyed out in iPhone. I have to take backup in iCloud. I cannot turn ‘On’ iCloud Backup in Settings > Apple ID> iCloud >iCloud Backup. How should I fix this iPhone problem?’
You want to backup your iPhone. You go to the iCloud Backup option in your device. However, a strange problem confronts you. The option iCloud Backup is greyed out! You cannot enable or turn it on.
Taking iPhone backup is essential to protect your device data. Although you have an option to backup in iTunes but you prefer iCloud for its convenience and ease.
Nevertheless, whenever stuck in such situation, before fixing iCloud greyed out problem, first take backup in iTunes. This is a precaution, you must take to protect your device data from loss.
How to fix iCloud backup greyed out
There are several solutions to the iCloud backup greyed out problem. But, it is essential to know what has caused this problem at first place. It will help to understand the troubleshooting methods you would apply.
There can be many reasons for the greyed out iCloud option. Many users report the problem after an iOS 11.1 update. Although Apple does not confirm that the backup greyed out issue is related to the iOS update.
The other probable reasons include:
- Apple servers are down at that time
- You are not connected to Wi-Fi.
- Your iPhone has private profile
- You are accessing iCloud Backup on restricted network such as that of office or public network
Simple Do’s that can fix iCloud Backup greyed out
- Restart iPhone
- Ensure continuous Wi-Fi connection
- Make sure Airplane mode is off
- Sign out and sign in again in iCloud account
- Your iCloud account has reached the storage limit
- Wait for servers to enable iCloud Backup (works when Apple servers are down)
Methods to fix iCloud Backup greyed out
If the above hacks do not fix iCloud greyed out, try the below methods:
1. Remove private profile in settings
Profile in iPhone generally used by companies or organizations in the devices they provide to their employees. It also gets installed when you access official email or download an app on iPhone. The purpose is to supervision of iPhones or iPads.
However, these profiles can cause issues with Wi-Fi or general settings of your iPhone. Thus, deleting the profile can fix many issues such as that of iCloud Backup greyed out.
- Go to Settings > General > Profile and delete the listed profiles.
- Now check your setting, if you can turn on the iCloud Backup.
2. Turn off restrictions in Settings
Network restriction on your iPhone can lead to iCloud greyed out problem.
- Turn off restrictions by following the path – Settings > General > Restrictions > Accounts > Allow Changes.
This should let you access iCloud Backup option.
3. Free up space in iCloud
iCloud offers a limited 5GB free space to store your iPhone data. If that limit is over, then too your iCloud Backup may greyed out. Try freeing some space by logging into iCloud account and deleting the old backups or other stuff which may not be useful.
4. Reset Network Settings
Some iPhone users reported resetting their network settings had fixed iCloud greyed out problem in their iPhone.
May be Wi-Fi is not working or your iPhone is unable to connect to a Wi-Fi network. Any network related issue that is not letting the update to complete, is fixed by Reset Network Settings.
- Follow Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings,to fix your iCloud issue.
5. Select ‘iCloud backup’ via iTunes on your computer
Fix iCloud Backup grey out by selecting automatic backup in iCloud through iTunes on your computer.
Follow the given steps:
- Connect your iPhone to the computer and launch iTunes.
- Click on your iPhone and go to Summary.
- Under Backup > Automatically Backup section, select ‘iCloud’
- Disconnect iPhone from computer; the iCloud Backup button should no longer appear greyed out.
Want to restore iPhone from iTunes or iCloud but backup NOT accessible?
You have a backup in iTunes or iCloud. However, you could not access it or unable to restore your iPhone from it. In such situation, use Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone – a completely secure DIY software to restore lost or deleted iPhone data from inaccessible iCloud, iTunes and iPhone.
6. Update to latest iOS
iOS updates fixes many issues in the iPhone. Update your device to the latest version of iOS. To update iOS go to Settings > General > Software Update.
7. Factory reset iPhone
When all the above methods fail to fix iCloud Backup greyed out, last resort is factory reset.
Follow on your iPhone Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
Wrapping Up
iCloud is a convenient backup solution for iPhone users. You may not want lose it due to technical glitches. One of the above methods is surely going to help you to fix iCloud Backup greyed out problem.
Try them out and do share in the comment box below which method proved helpful in your case.
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NO About The Author
Harsha is a technical expert who loves Mondays, technology and is a big time Apple fan. She knows her way around the data loss problems and is always looking for ways to help out people.
9 comments
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Hi, I was looking for the solution for years, and after trying the method to remove Profile, it finally worked! (Settings > General > Profile Management> Delete).
Thanks and keep it up!
I had faced the same issue, I am using icloud service for my business and recoding my CCTV camera footage, icloud is the best service but sometimes some of my files not recognized, not sync and not backup my files, but now it’s all done.
Hi Francisco, Thanks for reading our blog and share your valuable experience with us!
I had an issue, my iCloud on my iPhone 6 still “grey”. So I cannot make a backup But after I read your method to fix my iCloud problem with help of Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Thanks you very much!
Glad to found it helpful Adam! More is on the way!
When I have this issue on an iMac or MacBook I follow the given steps:
In the system settings: go to iCloud, make sure that “iCloud Drive” option is enabled, press the button “options” next to it, here you find all your iCloud storage options, in the below part of the box you will find the setting “optimize Mac-Storage”. Remove the checkmark. All your files will be downloaded to your Mac now.
Hi Manus, Thanks for your words!
Hi, I had the same issue with my iPhone 6. I try your method 5 as you mention on this blog. It’s worked for me, just fine. Thanks!
Hi John, Thanks for reading our blog and sharing your valuable feedback with us!