“Unable to update iCloud settings at this time” leaves you stuck when changing iCloud settings, including turning Messages syncing on or off. Start with the connection and account checks below, then tackle the settings that match your problem. Save signing out for after those checks so you have time to preserve anything that hasn’t synced.
Check whether Apple’s services are available
Start here if an iCloud settings change suddenly stops working. During an Apple service outage, wait for service to return before retrying.
Open Apple’s System Status page and check the affected iCloud service.
Check iMessage too if the error appears while changing Messages settings.
If Apple reports an outage or maintenance, retry the failed change after service returns.
Get your internet connection working
A failed internet connection prevents your device from completing the Apple Account or iCloud operation.
On iPhone or iPad, open Settings and turn off Airplane Mode.
Open Settings > Wi-Fi and turn on Wi-Fi.
Select your network.
Enter its password or complete its terms-and-conditions screen.
Check for the blue checkmark beside the network before retrying the iCloud change.
Without Wi-Fi, open Settings > Cellular or Mobile Data and enable cellular data. This requires an iPhone or cellular-capable iPad with an active data plan.
If the connection still fails, try another Wi-Fi network or router frequency.
For trouble on your home network, unplug the router and modem.
Reconnect their power to restart them.
Contact your internet provider if other devices also cannot get online.
Clear pending account prompts
An unfinished account prompt needs attention before you retry. Open Settings > [your name] and select any Update Apple Account Settings alert. Complete the requested authentication or setup.
If you see Some iCloud data isn’t syncing, tap Resume data sync. Complete the authentication prompts, including a previous device’s passcode if requested.
Open Settings > [your name] > iCloud, or System Settings > [your name] > iCloud on Mac. Check the status beside Saved to iCloud. For a yellow or red status, follow its onscreen instructions.
For grayed-out account settings, open Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. If All Restrictions is enabled, scroll to Privacy Restrictions > Allow Changes to Settings > Accounts and choose Allow, entering the Screen Time passcode when requested. For a child’s account, ask the parent or guardian to permit the change.
When the app stalls, restart your device
Use this step when Settings or Messages is unresponsive, or you cannot complete the operation normally. Start with a normal restart before resorting to a force restart.
For an unresponsive iPhone app, open the App Switcher.
Swipe up on the affected app.
Reopen it from the Home Screen or App Library.
Retry the settings change.
To restart an iPhone, open Settings > General > Shut Down.
Drag the power-off slider.
Once the phone is off, hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
On an iPad without a Home button, hold the top button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears. On an iPad with a Home button, hold the top button instead.
Drag the slider.
Wait 30 seconds.
Hold the top button until the Apple logo appears.
On Mac, choose Apple menu > Restart.
Confirm with Restart.
If the clock is wrong on iPhone or iPad, open Settings > General > Date & Time.
Enable Set Time Automatically, labeled Set Automatically on older versions. Also turn on Set Time Zone Automatically where it appears.
Then open Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services and turn on Setting Time Zone.
On Mac, open Apple menu > System Settings > General > Date & Time.
Enable Set time and date automatically and Set time zone automatically using your current location. Location Services must be turned on for automatic time-zone detection.
Install the available software update
Update your iPhone or iPad before moving to more disruptive troubleshooting.
- 1.Back up your device.
- 2.Connect it to power and Wi-Fi.
- 3.Open Settings > General > Software Update.
- 4.Tap Download and Install when an update is offered, then follow the prompts.
- 5.Retry the iCloud settings change after installation.
Remove network interference before resetting connections
This addresses connection trouble from interfering network software or existing network settings.
Open your third-party VPN, firewall, security, or filtering app.
Temporarily turn off its network-related features.
Restart the device.
Retry the iCloud operation.
If disabling an interfering VPN or security app does not resolve the connection problem on iPhone or iPad, touch and hold the app. Deleting it also removes its local data.
Choose Remove App > Delete App > Delete.
Restart the device again.
Test the connection.
If simpler connection fixes fail, open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset. On iPad, use Transfer or Reset iPad.
Tap Reset Network Settings. This resets saved Wi-Fi passwords, cellular settings, and ordinary VPN/APN settings.
Reconnect through Settings > Wi-Fi.
Retry the iCloud change.
If the error involves Messages in iCloud
Messages in iCloud requires the same Apple Account on your devices, two-factor authentication, and iCloud Keychain. Check the account under Settings > [your name], or System Settings > [your name] on Mac.
On iPhone, open Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security > Two-Factor Authentication and complete the setup prompts if it is off. For Keychain, open Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Passwords under Saved to iCloud. Turn on Sync this iPhone and enter the requested passcode or account password.
To enable Messages syncing on a current iPhone, open Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Messages, tapping See All under Saved to iCloud if needed. Turn on Use on this iPhone. On Mac, open Messages > Settings > iMessage, select Enable Messages in iCloud, then click Sync Now to start a synchronization attempt.
If iCloud reports full storage, open Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Storage or Manage Account Storage. Return to iCloud and open Recommended for You to review cleanup options. Preserve wanted content before deleting anything, because synced deletions affect your other devices.
Save signing out for later
Signing out affects other Apple services too, so preserve your data before trying it on iPhone or iPad.
- 1.Back up the device and preserve unsynced content. Check the status beside Saved to iCloud under Settings > [your name] > iCloud before continuing.
- 2.Open Settings > [your name] > Sign Out.
- 3.Choose Sign Out But Don’t Erase and follow the prompts.
- 4.Enter the requested device passcode or Apple Account password, then select Confirm and Sign Out. Signing out of an iPhone also signs out its paired Apple Watch.
- 5.Sign back into the same Apple Account. On a signed-out current iPhone, open Settings > Apple Account > Sign in Manually, enter your account email or phone number and password, then enter the verification code.
- 6.Retry the iCloud settings change.
Persistent errors need Apple Support
Restrictions on account changes block settings even with a working connection.
For a work or school device, ask your organization’s administrator to review account and iCloud restrictions. Consult them before removing required management or changing managed network settings.
If the error persists after these checks, open Apple Support. A working connection does not rule out an account-side problem.
Describe the exact error, the settings change you were attempting, and your device and software version.
Tell Apple if the same operation fails on multiple devices.
If the error blocks a Messages deletion or recovery operation, include any deletion deadline shown on your account. In Messages, Recently Deleted recovers individual messages and conversations deleted within the last 30 to 40 days; ask Apple Support about anything beyond that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I turn off Low Power Mode to fix this error?
Low Power Mode pauses iCloud Photos. Turning it off addresses that paused activity, but Apple does not identify it as a specific repair for this iCloud-settings error.
What if the error started after restoring an iCloud backup?
Keep the device connected to reliable Wi-Fi and power until restoration finishes, then retry. Apple recommends this when repeated account-password prompts follow an iCloud restore.
Can iCloud for Windows repair Messages in iCloud?
No. Messages in iCloud is not a feature of iCloud for Windows, so the Windows app has no Messages repair control.
Should I erase my iPhone if nothing works?
Contact Apple Support first. A computer restore erases the device and installs compatible software, but Apple does not identify it as a cure for this specific error.