Common iCloud Problems on iPhone and iPad

Is iCloud down for the count? When you can’t sign into iCloud, get an iCloud error, or have other frequent iCloud troubles, follow these steps.

Anyone who owns an Apple device is likely to utilize iCloud. This cloud storage service allows you to easily sync images, calendars, documents, and other items across all of your Apple devices. However, if iCloud fails, you may lose access to all of your data!

We’ve compiled a list of the most frequent iCloud issues from around the web, along with how to fix them. So, whether your iCloud app isn’t loading or you can’t sign in to iCloud on your iPhone, you’ll find instructions for resolving your issue below.

1. I’m unable to connect to iCloud.

When your device is unable to connect to iCloud, the first step is to ensure that Apple’s systems are properly operational. Make sure every iCloud-related service has a green circle next to it on Apple’s System Status website.

Apple is having trouble with that service if the shapes are yellow or red. There’s nothing you can do if iCloud is temporarily unavailable but wait for Apple to repair the problem.

If iCloud is back up and running, you may need to agree to new terms and conditions before you can connect to it again. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app and tap your name at the top. If there are any new terms and conditions, a popup will ask you to agree to them.

If it doesn’t work, sign out of iCloud on your iPhone or iPad and then sign back in. To do so, follow these steps:

Go to [Your Name] > Settings.
Sign out by scrolling down and tapping Sign Out.
To turn off Find My, enter your Apple ID password if required.
Tap Sign Out after deciding what data to keep on your smartphone (everything you don’t keep is still stored to iCloud).
Return to Settings and sign in with your Apple ID information.

2. iCloud Data Doesn’t Sync Between Devices

When it’s working, iCloud automatically syncs everything without you having to do anything. That means you can take a shot on one device and have it automatically sync with your other devices.

Unfortunately, iCloud does not always function as expected. If that’s the case, these iCloud troubleshooting methods will help you get back on track. One by one, give them a shot:

Shut down your smartphone and wait about a minute before turning it back on.
To test your internet connection, try streaming a video on YouTube or something similar. If it’s still slow, try restarting your router to see if it helps.
Make sure you’re using the same Apple ID account on each device by going to Settings > [Your Name]. If this is the case, sign in again using the proper information.
Turn on each of the services you want to sync by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud.

Make a change in an iCloud app (like Notes) once you’ve completed these instructions to see if it syncs with your other devices. Allow iCloud to sync your data for about 10 minutes.

Third-Party Applications Save to iCloud only if absolutely necessary.

Some third-party apps save data to iCloud and sync it across all of your Apple devices. They normally do this automatically, but if your apps aren’t syncing the way you want them to, you may need to manually adjust the settings.

Follow these steps to check the iCloud sync settings on each of your Apple devices:

To access iCloud, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud.
Select the apps you want to sync via iCloud from the list and turn them on.
If an app isn’t on the list, get in touch with the developer for more information.

You don’t have to enable every app on this list; only the ones you want to use with iCloud should be enabled.

4. Your iCloud Preferences Updating iCloud Settings screen is a never-ending process.

When you can’t sign in to iCloud on your iPhone or iPad, this persistent loading page shows, frequently during the setup of a new device.

If you try to use the Files app, you could get a notification that says iCloud Drive is loaded. Alternatively, you may receive an alert stating that you are unable to sign in due to an issue interacting with iCloud. Before attempting to repair it, wait at least five minutes.

If after five minutes you’re still stuck on the updating iCloud settings screen, try the following:

Shut down your smartphone and wait about a minute before turning it back on.
Follow these procedures to force restart your iPhone or iPad if it has become unresponsive.
After restarting your smartphone, go to Settings and, if you haven’t previously, login in to iCloud. Then try to use your iCloud apps once more.

When you can’t sign into iCloud, it’s usually because you typed in the erroneous username or password. However, even if you used the correct credentials, you may receive an Authentication Error.

If you receive this or other unsuccessful authentication notifications, do the following steps:

To get started, go to the Apple ID page.
Log in using your Apple ID login and password.
If you still can’t sign in, go to Forgot your Apple ID or password? and follow the prompts to reset your login information.

6. Apple Get Support website in Safari on Mac says you have an unsupported device or Apple ID.

You may have created an Apple ID under unique conditions, resulting in iCloud issues. If an Apple ID works with Apple’s other services, such as the App Store or iTunes, it should function with iCloud as well.

Similarly, if your device has a problem, iCloud may consider it unsupported. To determine whether the issue is with your account or your device, try it on another device (logging in to the iCloud website from a browser if necessary).

If your Apple ID isn’t working with any of Apple’s services, or if your device doesn’t have an Apple ID, contact Apple Support. It’s possible that you’ll have to establish a new account to fix it.

7. You’ve Used Up All Your iCloud Storage

Apple provides everyone with 5GB of free iCloud storage, but that’s rarely enough to last a long time. When you run out of iCloud storage, you have two options: clear some space in your account or purchase additional iCloud storage.

Find out how to manage your iCloud storage and delete some of the material there to free up some space.

Otherwise, use these steps to purchase additional iCloud storage:

Go to [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage in Settings.
Change the storage plan by selecting it.
To confirm the monthly subscription, select your storage upgrade choice from the list and enter your Apple ID password.
Apple charges you right instantly, and the storage is immediately available.
Check your Apple ID payment method in Settings > [Your Name] > Payment & Shipping if you’re unable to upgrade or see a message that your iCloud storage cannot be upgraded at this time.

8. When you sign in or out of iCloud, verification fails.

Because Verification Failed or your account is unavailable, you may be unable to sign in to iCloud on your iPhone or iPad. For the same reason, you can’t always sign out of iCloud. This is frequently due to a problem with your internet connection or your Apple ID login credentials.

There are a few options for resolving the issue:

Shut down your smartphone and wait about a minute before turning it back on.
To test your internet connection, try streaming a video from YouTube or another website. If it’s still slow, try restarting your router to see if it helps.
Go to Settings > General > Date & Time to double-check your device’s date and time. If it isn’t already enabled, enable the option to Set Automatically.
Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > Get verification code if you have another device with the same Apple ID. If you use two-factor authentication with iCloud, you must sign in with this code.
To log in to iCloud, try utilizing Wi-Fi instead than cellular data.

9. Your iPhone or iPad Is Constantly Requesting an iCloud Password

You’re using your iPhone or iPad when you get a prompt requesting you to input your iCloud credentials. You do so, but it reappears a few moments later, then again, and so on.

This is an old iCloud issue that still occurs now and then. Any of the following iCloud troubleshooting tips will help:

Shut down your smartphone and wait about a minute before turning it back on.
Choose not to keep any data on your smartphone by going to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out. Return to Settings and Sign In again after signing out.
To ensure that iCloud is functioning properly, go to Apple’s System Status website.
Reset your Apple ID password on Apple’s iForgot website, then sign in to iCloud on your iPhone or iPad with the new password.
Finally, make a backup of your iPhone and restore it. This procedure can be time-consuming, so leave it for last resort after you’ve exhausted all other options.

So You Can Back Up Your Device, Fix iCloud Issues

It’s always irritating when iCloud troubles cause the service to stop working correctly, regardless of the circumstances. You now know how to fix the most common iCloud issues.

However, if your iPhone or iPad can’t back up to iCloud, you could be in significant danger of losing data.