Solved: iCloud Backup Greyed Out On iPhone (iOS 15 Supported)

iCloud / By / November 7, 2021

Fix iCloud Backup Greyed Out Problem

Learn 7 Solutions To Fix “iCloud Backup” Or iCloud “Back Up Now” Option Greyed Out On iPhone!

On your iPhone, are you seeing that iCloud Backup is greyed out? Are you not able to take backup of your iPhone to iCloud because “Back Up Now” option is greyed out?

Be Calm!

This post provide several solutions that will help you to fix iCloud backup greyed out on iPhone. Additionally, the post also offer alternate method to backup iPhone/iPad/iPod touch data to computer when the iCloud Back Up Now option is greyed out. Just go through the post and follow the solutions.

tipExpert Tip: However, one of the best alternate options to backup iPhone data is to use iOS Data Backup & Restore software as it will easily help you to backup iPhone data when iCloud backup is greyed out.

With the help of iOS Data Backup & Restore, you can:

  • Easily backup iPhone data to computer and later you can easily restore your data from the backups to any iPhone.
  • Selectively backup and restore data that you want to.
  • Preview and restore any file from the backup to your device.
  • No data loss on device during backup and restore.
  • Support all iPhone models such as iPhone XS Max/XS/XR/X/8/8 Plus/7/7 Plus/6/6 Plus/6s/6s Plus/SE/5c/5s/5/4s/4.
  • Compatible with iOS 5 to latest iOS.
  • 100% read-only program. Safe, secure and easy to use.

Free Download Trial Version/Buy Now iOS Data Backup & Restore Tool

*Trial version only scans and previews files.

*Trial version only scans and previews files.

Backing up your iPhone is an important process and should be performed regularly, if you really want to keep the data on it safe. In fact, backing up device is the most important action that you must take to protect the device’s data from the danger of data loss. However, the process itself is not without its problems.

For instance, you want to backup your iPhone to iCloud, but when you go to iCloud Backup option on your device, you see that “iCloud Backup” option is greyed out. You are not able to Turn it ON or enable it.

Also Read: WiFi Button Greyed Out On iPhone/iPad? Here Is The Permanent Fix!

For example, just check out the real user practical scenario!

Practical Scenario: iCloud Backup Greyed Out On iPhone X

The iCloud backup is grayed out on my new iPhoneX. I have iCloud, so how do I activate it on the new phone?

The iCloud backup is grayed out on my new iPhoneX. I have iCloud, so how do I activate it on the new phone?

Source: Apple Discussion

That was just one example; similarly, there are several iPhone, iPad or iPod touch users out there encountering this issue.

Anyway, whenever you get stuck in such scenario, you must first take backup of your iPhone – you can use iTunes or you can use iOS Data Backup & Restore software to take backup. This is the precaution that you must take before you proceed further for fixing iCloud greyed out problem and protect you device data from loss.

Before jumping to the solutions, let us first know – Why “iCloud Backup” or iCloud “Backup Up Now” option is greyed out?

Also Read: How To Fix iCloud Backup Could Not Be Completed?

Causes: Why “iCloud Backup” or iCloud “Backup Up Now” Option Is Greyed Out?

It is important to know causes that are responsible for the occurrence of this iCloud backup greyed out problem at first place as it will help you to understand the troubleshooting solutions you would follow.

There can be various reasons for the iCloud backup greyed out. They are as follows:

  • Airplane mode is enabled.
  • Outdated iOS System or after iOS update.
  • You may not be connected to Wi-Fi.
  • Apple servers might be down at that time. So, before applying any solutions please visit Apple official site to check the system status.
  • You are trying to access iCloud backup on restricted network such as of public or office network.
  • There might be not enough free storage on your iCloud account.
  • You might be automatically logged out of your iCloud account or Apple ID.

So, those could be the reasons that can lead to the occurrence of iCloud backup greyed out on iPhone/iPad/iPad touch.

Also Read: How To Restore iPhone From iCloud Without Resetting

Alright, so now let us learn the tips to solve iCloud backup greyed out on iPhone.

Note: Below mentioned solutions to fix iCloud backup greyed out problem is applicable to all iPhones such as iPhone XS Max/XS/XR/X/8/8 Plus/7/7 Plus/6s/6s Plus/6/6 Plus/SE/5c/5s/5/4s/4.

Before you follow any of the solutions, you must first check out – Basic things to consider that can fix iCloud backup greyed out issue.

Basic Things To Consider That Can Fix iCloud Backup Greyed Out Issue

  • Restart your iPhone as restart can solve many problems.
  • Make sure that your device is connected to stable and continuous Wi-Fi connection.
  • Logout and then log-in back to your iCloud account.
  • Check Airplane mode is disabled or turned OFF.
  • Check that your iCloud account has not reached the storage limit.
  • Wait for Apple server to enable iCloud backup if it is currently down.

If above basic things doesn’t solve your issue of iCloud backup greyed out on iPhone then follow the below-mentioned solutions.

Solution 1: Make Sure That You Have Enough Storage Space In iCloud

By default, Apple offer only 5GB of free space in iCloud to every user. Honestly speaking, this storage is consumed pretty quickly. So, before you wonder why my iPhone won’t backup to iCloud, make sure that you have enough storage space on it.

To check, how much storage space is left on your iCloud, go to Settings> iCloud> Storage.

Check Available iCloud Storage Space On iPhone

On the other hand, if you do not have enough storage space then you might have to purchase more iCloud storage space.

Beside that you can also delete old iPhone backup files on the iCloud to make more storage space. To do so go to Settings> Storage> Manage Storage and then select the backup file that you want to delete. Open it and then tap on “Delete Backup” button in order to get more space.

Manage Storage Space On iPhone

Also Read: How Can I Restore iPhone Data From an iCloud Backup?

Solution 2: Reset Network Settings

Some of the times, iPhone won’t backup to iCloud just because of network issue. In order to solve this problem, you can simply reset all network settings of your iPhone. Doing this will restart your phone by resetting all network settings such as Wi-Fi networks, saved passwords and all other kinds of network settings.

To reset network settings, go to phone’s Settings> General> Reset and then tap on “Reset Network Settings”. Next, simply confirm the action by agreeing to the pop-up message.

Reset Network Settings

Solution 3: Remove Device’s Network Restriction

One of the main causes that is responsible for the occurrence of iCloud backup greyed out is the network restrictions on your iPhone.

So, simply turn OFF the restrictions by going to your device’s Settings> General> Restrictions> Accounts> Allow Changes.

Remove Restrictions On iPhone

After this, I hope this will let you access iCloud Backup option.

Also Read: Best Way To Recover Deleted iCloud Backup Data [3 Solutions]

Solution 4: Delete Private Profile In Settings

Profile in iPhone is usually used by organizations or companies in the devices they give to their employees. However, it also gets installed when you download app or access official emails on your iPhone. The aim is to supervision of iPhones, iPad or iPod touch.

Anyway, these profiles may cause problems with general settings or Wi-Fi of your iPhone. Hence, deleting the profiles can fix many problems including that of iCloud Backup greyed out.

To delete profile, go to device’s Settings> General> Profile and then delete the listed profiles.

Now go back to Settings and turn ON iCloud Drive and then check if you can enable iCloud Backup.

Solution 5: Select ‘iCloud’ Instead of ‘This Computer’ Via iTunes

This is another trick that has solved iCloud backup greyed out issue for many iPhone users.

When you connect your iPhone to iTunes via computer then select “iCloud” instead of “This Computer”. Below follow the steps how to do this:

  • Connect your iPhone to the computer and launch iTunes.
  • Click on your iPhone icon and go to “Summary” tab.
  • Now under “Backups” and “Automatically Back Up” section, the radio button by default is selected to “This Computer”. You have to change the radio button from “This Computer” to “iCloud”.
  • Now, disconnect the iPhone from computer, you will find that iCloud Backup button is no more greyed out.

Select iCloud Instead of This Computer Via iTunes

Also Read: How To Factory Reset iPhone Without iCloud Password [4 Solutions]

Solution 6: Update To Latest Version of iOS

Let me tell you that updating to latest versions of iOS fixes several issues of the iPhone.

Hence, it is suggested that you must update your device to the latest version of iOS. May be this can solve the iCloud Back Up Now option greyed out problem.

To update the iOS to latest version, go to Settings> General> Software Update and if any update is available then please update it.

update iPhone software

Solution 7: Factory Reset Your iPhone [Last Resort]

If all of the above-mentioned solutions fail to fix “iCloud Backup” or iCloud “Back Up Now” option greyed out issue, then the last solution that you must try is to factory reset your iPhone.

However, resetting your phone will erase all data from your device and therefore it is suggested that you must take backup of your iPhone data to computer before following this solution.

To reset iPhone, follow the below steps:

  • On your iPhone tap Settings> General.
  • Scroll down and tap on Reset> Erase All Content and Settings.
  • Now enter your passcode to confirm the process.

Factory Reset iPhone

The reset process will take a minute or two. Once the reset process gets completed, set-up your iPhone and then you can see that iCloud backup button is no more greyed out.

Note: Don’t forget to restart/reboot your iPhone after performing each solution to check to see if iCloud Backup greyed out error has been fixed or not.

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Bonus Tip: Alternative To iCloud Backup To Backup iPhone Data

Apart from iCloud backup, you can also use iTunes to backup your iPhone to PC/Mac.

Beside that you can also try reliable third-party iOS Data Backup & Restore Software that offer safe and fast way to take whole or selective backup of your iPhone/iPad/iPod touch.

Support all models of iPhones and major iOS versions, it can take a backup of almost all data file types such as photos, videos, audio, contacts, messages & attachments, WhatsApp, Viber, Kik, notes, voice memos, calendar, voicemail, app’s data, etc.

The iOS Backup and Restore software is available for both Windows and Mac computer.

*Trial version only scans and previews files.

*Trial version only scans and previews files.

The software can also be used to restore data to the same iPhone or any other iPhone. You will never any kind of data loss with its few mouse click backup feature.

Here follow the complete steps to backup and restore iPhone with the help of iOS Backup & Restore software.

Wrap Up

iCloud offer convenient backup solution for iPhone users. You do not want to lose it due to technical glitches. But it’s unfortunate when your iCloud Backup or iCloud Back Up Now option greyed out on iPhone.

So hopefully, one of the above-mentioned solutions works for you. However, if issue still persists, then you can try reliable iOS Backup & Restore software. I recommend this software because it is simple to use and ensure that your data and files are 100% secure.