Apple ID is an authentication method used for the iPhone, iPad, Mac and other Apple devices. Each Apple ID contains a user's personal information and settings. When your Apple ID is used to log in to your Apple device, you can use the account to access all of Apple's services, making all of your devices work seamlessly together. Apple ID undoubtedly plays a part, but some users have raised the following issues:
The Apple ID in Settings on my iPhone has been greyed out and unresponsive since setting it up last month. I am unable to do anything because my Apple ID is greyed out. How do I fix this?"
Reaching out to the Apple support community, we found a large number of Apple users with problems with their Apple ID showing as greyed out. We understand how important it is to be able to manage your Apple ID and related settings on the iPhone. So, in this post, we walk you through how to fix Apple ID greyed out on iPhone.
- Part 1. Why Is My Apple ID Greyed Out in Settings?
- Part 2. How to Fix Apple ID Greyed Out Due to Screen Time Restrictions
- Part 3. How to Fix Apple ID Greyed Out Due to MDM Profiles
- Part 4. Advanced Solutions to Apple ID Greyed Out in Settings
- Part 5. Conclusion
Part 1. Why Is My Apple ID Greyed Out in Settings?
Your Apple ID is the key to seamless access to all Apple services and products. It acts as your digital identity within the Apple ecosystem, enabling you to download apps, make purchases, and sync data across devices effortlessly. Without a properly functioning Apple ID, your iPhone's functionality may be significantly hampered. So why is Apple ID greyed out? The following are possible reasons that cause Apple ID to be greyed out.
| Causes of Apple ID Greyed Out | Detailed Reasons |
|---|---|
| Screen Time Restrictions | If Content & Privacy Restrictions are enabled, your Apple ID option may be disabled. |
| MDM Profiles | School or work devices often use Mobile Device Management, which can restrict Apple ID changes. |
| Apple ID or iCloud Issues | Server outages or locked Apple IDs can temporarily disable settings. |
| iOS Glitches | Outdated iOS, network misconfiguration, or temporary bugs. |
Video Demo: How to Fix Apple Greyed Out on iPhone
After figuring out what causes Apple ID greyed out in Settings, it's time to fix the issue from several aspects. On the one hand, turn off Restrictions or MDM profiles to resolve the issue; on the other hand, try some advanced solutions to fix the issue related to software glitches. But before starting, watch the video tutorial first.
Part 2. How to Fix Apple ID Greyed Out Due to Screen Time Restrictions
In a way, the Apple ID greyed out in Settings issue happens when you have Screen Time restrictions enabled on your iPhone. When faced with the issue of Apple ID being greyed out, you can check if you have restricted account changes in Content & Privacy Restrictions, then follow the steps below to remove the restrictions.
Case 1. Allow Account Changes with Screen Time Passcode
When you have disabled Account Changes in Screen Time and have locked the Screen Time settings, Apple ID will be greyed out to prevent any changes. Simply follow the steps below to reset Account Changes in Restrictions if you can remember your Screen Time passcode.
Step 1. Head to Settings on your iPhone and tap on Screen Time.
Step 2. Select Content & Privacy Restrictions and scroll down to find Accounts.
Step 3. Tap Accounts, and select Allow, then enter the Screen Time passcode to confirm.
📝Note: Fix Apple ID Greyed Out on Child's Phone via Family Sharing
If you have disallowed Apple Account changes on your child's iPhone or iPad, you can also fix the greyed-out Apple ID issue for your child via Family Sharing.
Step 1. Locate Settings on your iPhone and tap on Screen Time.
Step 2. Scroll down to the Family section and tap on your child's name.
Step 3. Tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions > Accounts.
Step 4. Select Allow and enter the Screen Time passcode to confirm.
Case 2. Allow Account Changes without Screen Time Passcode
It's easy to allow Account Changes in Restrictions if you can remember the Screen Time passcode. What to do if you forget your Screen Time passcode? In this case, MagFone iPhone Unlocker is an essential multitasking tool that's perfect for solving various problems with Screen Time. It is capable of removing Screen Time passcode from iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Follow the steps below to fix Apple ID greyed out using MagFone iPhone Unlocker.
MagFone iPhone Unlocker
Remove Screen Time and MDM restrictions that cause a greyed-out Apple ID.
Step 1 Connect iPhone to Computer and Launch MagFone
To get started, use a USB cable to connect your iPad to your computer. Launch MagFone iPhone Unlocker and click the Unlock Screen Time Passcode button, then click the Start button.
Step 2 Remove the Screen Time Passcode from iPhone
Confirm that Find My iPhone is turned off. Then you can click the Unlock button to remove the Screen Time passcode from your iPhone. After the iPhone restarts, you will find that the Apple ID is accessible in Settings.
How to Fix Apple ID Sign Out Greyed Out in Settings
If you can't sign out of your Apple Account because Apple ID Sign Out is greyed out in Settings, you can turn off the Screen Time passcode. Then you can sign out of your Apple ID on your iPhone.
Step 1. Open the Settings app and tap Screen Time.
Step 2. Scroll down and tap Change Screen Time Passcode.
Step 3. Select Turn Off Screen Time Passcode.
Step 4. Enter your Screen Time passcode to confirm.
Part 3. How to Fix Apple ID Greyed Out Due to MDM Profiles
If your iPhone is issued by school or work, it may be controlled by MDM software. These mobile device management profiles can intentionally grey out Apple ID settings. If your Apple ID is greyed out in Settings, you need to figure out if your iPhone is supervised by another computer or device. Follow the steps below to disable MDM to fix the issue.
Case 1. Disable MDM with the Removal Password
With a removal password, you can easily turn off MDM profiles set up on your iPhone. In Settings, you can directly disable MDM to fix the Apple ID greyed-out issue.
Step 1. Locate Settings on your iPhone and tap on General.
Step 2. Tap on VPN & Device Management, then find any restriction on your iPhone.
Step 3. Tap on Remove Device Management and enter the removal password.
Case 2. Bypass MDM without the Removal Password
However, most users don't have the removal password to directly turn off MDM profiles on their devices. If you don't know the MDM profile removal password, no worry, you can use an MDM removal tool like MagFone iPhone Unlocker. This tool can help you bypass MDM profiles without password. So, if you hit a bump in the road when using Apple ID, you'll need to use this tool.
Step 1 Connect iPhone and Run MagFone Software
Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable. Then open MagFone iPhone Unlocker and select Remove MDM on the main interface.
Step 2 Unsupervise iPhone to Fix Apple ID Greyed Out
Go to turn off Find My iPhone in Settings on your iPhone. Then click the Start button to bypass MDM lock on the device. Finally, the issue will be fixed.
Part 4. Advanced Solutions to Apple ID Greyed Out in Settings
If the steps of turning off Restrictions or MDM profiles still fail to resolve the issue, you may need to resort to more advanced solutions. The following are common fixes you can try to solve Apple ID greyed out in Settings on the iPhone.
Solution 1. Check Apple System Status
Maybe the problem happens is your Apple ID. You can check to see if there is a problem with your Apple ID. It could help you fix the Apple ID greyed out issue on your iPhone.
Step 1. Go to https://www.apple.com/support/systemstatus/ and look for the status of Apple ID.
Step 2. Locate the Apple ID in the list and check the color of the dot. When it is green, it indicates there is no problem.
Solution 2. Force Restart iPhone
Sometimes, you can try restarting your iPhone to solve many problems. Follow the steps below to force restart your iPhone.
For iPhone 8 or later: Press and release the volume up button, then repeat the same action with the volume down button. Press and release the side button until the Apple logo appears.
For iPhone 7: Press and hold the volume down button and the Sleep/Wake button at once. Once the Apple logo appears, release the two buttons.
For iPhone 6s or earlier: Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button at once. When the Apple logo appears, release the two buttons.
Solution 3. Update the iOS Version
To solve Apple ID being greyed out in Settings, you can upgrade your iPhone to the latest version of iOS. Here's how to update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS.
Step 1. Open Settings on your iPhone, then tap General > Software Update.
Step 2. Tap Download Now, Install Now, or Upgrade Now.
Step 3. Enter your screen passcode or Apple ID password, then tap Install Now.
Solution 4. Reset Network Settings on iPhone
The issue of Apple ID being greyed out may result from a poor network. In this case, you can reset your network settings. Perform the steps below to reset the network settings on your iPhone.
Step 1. Fire up the Settings app on your iPhone and tap on General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Step 2. Tap on Reset and select Reset Network Settings.
Step 3. Enter your screen passcode and Screen Time passcode, then tap Reset Network Settings to confirm.
Solution 5. Use an iOS System Repair Tool
When the Apple ID greyed out issue cannot be solved with the above methods, you can consider using an iOS system repair tool. By using a professional iOS system repair tool, you can completely fix the issue of your Apple ID being greyed out on your iPhone. Here we strongly recommend MagFone iOS System Recovery to you. It is a top-notch iOS repairing tool that can fix all types of iOS and iPadOS issues without data loss. Here we'll show you how to solve Apple ID greyed out via MagFone iOS System Recovery.
MagFone iOS System Recovery
Fix various iOS and iPadOS system issues, such as black screen, boot loop, frozen screen, or stuck on Apple logo, without data loss.
Step 1 Connect iPhone to Computer
Go to connect your iPhone to your computer with a USB cable, then open MagFone iOS System Recovery and select iOS System Repair. Proceed to select Standard Repair Mode.
Step 2 Put iPhone into Recovery Mode
Once your device is detected, you will see the device information on the screen. Check the device information and click Download to download the firmware package. If the device hasn't been detected, put the iPhone into recovery mode.
Step 3Fix Apple ID Greyed Out on iPhone
After downloading the firmware, you can click the Repair button to unzip the firmware. Then MagFone software will fix the issue as soon as possible.
Solution 6. Reset iPhone to Factory Settings
The last method is to reset your iPhone to factory settings. When there is a problem with your iPhone, other settings may not work well on your device.
Step 1. Tap on Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Step 2. Under Transfer or Reset iPhone, tap on Erase All Content and Settings.
Step 3. Tap on Continue, choose Skip iCloud Backup, then tap Erase iPhone.
Step 4. Enter your screen passcode and Apple ID password to reset your device.
Part 5. Conclusion
In a nutshell, this article has introduced several methods to help you solve the Apple ID greyed out issue. Before solving the issue, you will know the reason that causes the issue. You can try the above methods to solve the problem of your Apple ID greyed out. Or you can choose to use MagFone iPhone Unlocker, which can help you quickly solve the Apple ID issue.
Dylan Jones
Editor in chief
