Is Your Apple ID Greyed Out? Here Are 3 Possible Reasons

Many iPhone and iPad users complain that the sign-out button of the Apple ID in settings is greyed out. You might wonder why this happens or how this issue can be fixed.

Fortunately, there are various methods you can try to resolve this issue, and we will share some of them in this article. Interested? Read on to learn more.

Why Is Apple ID Greyed Out on iPhone or iPad?

If the "Sign Out" option on your Apple ID is greyed out, it could be due to one of the following reasons:

1. Screen Time is enabled with account change restrictions.
2. A company profile is installed on your iPhone.
3. Glitches caused by iOS system errors.

If you encounter this issue, please follow the instructions below to check for restrictions and resolve the greyed-out Apple ID option.

Turn Off Screen Time Restrictions

If the 'Sign Out' option is greyed out with a message stating, 'Sign out is unavailable due to restrictions', the reason is because the device's Screen Time feature is activated.

Screen Time is a built-in feature found in iPhones with iOS 12 and onwards. This feature is designed to monitor the time spent using the device and various apps. You can even set limits and restrictions on the use of specific apps or settings through "Content & Privacy Restrictions" feature in Screen Time.

Though Screen Time benefits its users, it may also prevent you from signing out of your Apple ID. To resolve the issue of the Apple ID Sign Out option being greyed out, you will need to turn off Screen Time on your own or your parent's device, or simply disable the Content & Privacy Restrictions in the Screen Time settings.

Option 1. Turn Off Content & Privacy Restrictions Only

If you prefer not to disable Screen Time entirely, you still have option to turn off only the Content & Privacy Restrictions.

1. Navigate to Settings > Screen Time.
2. Scroll down and select Content & Privacy Restrictions.
3. If Content & Privacy Restrictions are enabled, scroll down to inspect if any settings such as Account Changes are configured to "Don't Allow."
4. If they are, tap the setting and select "Allow." If prompted, enter your Screen Time passcode. Alternatively, you can resolve the issue by toggling off the switch next to Content and Privacy Restrictions.

After disabling Content & Privacy Restrictions, proceed to Settings > Apple ID and attempt to sign out of your Apple ID.

Option 2. Turn Off Screen Time for Your Own Device

Alternatively, you can try tapping "Turn Off Screen Time" completely to see if it resolves the issue.

Follow the instructions below to turn off your device's Screen Time setup.

1. The first step is to go to Settings > Screen Time. Then, select the Turn Off Screen Time option.
2. Next is to enter your four-digit Screen Time passcode. If you can't remember your screen time passcode, follow the steps below:
3. Tap Settings > Screen Time> Change Screen Time Passcode
4. Tap Forgot Password
5. Follow the instructions throughout the recovery process
6. After successfully entering your passcode, tap the Turn Off Screen Time button.
7. Once done, head back to Settings > Apple ID name, and you will notice that the Sign Out option is no longer greyed out.

Option 3. Turn Off Screen Time for Your Child's Device

If you're seeking solutions for the Apple ID sign-out greyed-out issue on your child's device, the steps may vary from the instructions provided earlier.

In such a scenario, you'll need to disable Screen Time from the parent device. Here's how:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to Family.
3. Select your child's name.
4. Tap on Screen Time.
5. Tap "Turn off Screen Time."
6. Enter your Screen Time passcode.
7. Tap "Turn Off Screen Time" again to confirm.

Remove Mobile Device Management If There Is One

Another possible reason why you might not be able to sign out of your Apple ID could be because of MDM (Mobile Device Management) installed on your device by your school or workplace.

MDM enables organizations such as schools, businesses, and governments to to remotely troubleshoot and manage iPhones, such as pushing software updates, configuring settings, and providing technical support without requiring physical access to the device.

To check if MDM is active on your device, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on General.
3. Look for "VPN & Device Management."
4. Here, you'll see the profile that manages your device.

Alternatively, you can:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on General.
3. Select About.
4. Look for a line of text under the device name that says something like, "This [iPhone]/[iPad] is supervised. [Organization name] can monitor your internet traffic and locate this device."

Before removing MDM from your device, it's crucial to talk to the staff at your school or workplace first. Removing it may affect your access to certain apps and features. It's better to get their guidance on how to proceed.

Apple ID Still Greyed Out? Try the Following Troubleshooting Tips

If you haven't enabled Screen Time settings or there isn't an MDM profile installed on your device, the issue can also arise due to disabled mobile data that needs to be enabled or outdated software that needs updating. Try the following tips to troubleshoot the issue:

Turn On Mobile Data for Settings App

We often look hard for a solution somewhere when in fact, the answer is as simple as turning on your mobile data.

Signing out your Apple ID requires an internet connection. Thus if mobile data is disabled, Apple may not allow you to sign out.

To enable your mobile data:

1. Simply go to Settings > Mobile Data.
2. On the next screen, check if mobile data is enabled for the settings app. If not, simply enable it by turning on the toggle switch.
3. Now go back to Settings > Apple ID profile and check if the sign out button is no longer greyed out.

Reboot Your Device

Let's admit it, one of the first things we do whenever we face an issue on our device is reboot it. To do this:

1. Turn off your phone.
2. Once turned off, start your iPhone/iPad.
3. Next, go to Settings, click your Apple ID profile, and see if the sign out button is no longer greyed out.

Note: If this method didn't work for you. Don't fuss because there are other methods you can try, which we will discuss further in this article.

Update Your iOS

Sometimes, we encounter glitches and bugs in our devices, especially if the system is outdated or the latest update isn't successful.

The greyed-out sign-out button might be part of a software bug. You simply need to update your device's system software to fix this issue.

Follow the instructions below to do this.

1. Go to Settings.
2. In the Settings menu, select General > Software Updates.
3. The next screen will show you if there are available updates.
4. Click the Install Update or Download Update button. Ensure you are connected to a strong internet connection during this process.
5. Your phone will reboot once the update is successfully installed.
6. To check if this method worked. Go to Settings > Apple ID profile and see if the sign out button is no longer greyed out.

Backup and Restore Your iPhone

If the earlier methods still don't work for you, restoring your device would be the last probable solution. Follow the process below to back up and restore your device.

1. The first step is to back up your data into a spare iPhone device.
2. Once the backup is complete, put your device on recovery mode and connect it to a PC or Mac book using  USB.
3. On your PC, tap the Restore iPhone option. Make sure to keep the connection during this process.
4. After your iPhone is successfully restored, you will receive a Lock to iCloud notification.
5. On the next screen, tap the Transfer From Old Device option. Wait for the download to finish.
6. Once done, go to Settings> Apple ID profile, and you will notice that the signout button is no longer greyed out.

Conclusion

The greyed-out sign-out button can be due to a variety of reasons. One of the most common reasons is because the Screen Time or the MDM feature is activated.

It can also occur due to outdated software that needs to be updated or disabled mobile data that needs to be enabled. However, if these solutions have not worked, backing up and restoring your device could be the last resort to fix the problem.

We hope this article helped you fix the issue with the greyed-out sign-out button. Have any questions? Feel free to jot them down in the comments section below.