iPhone displays 'Activate iCloud Storage' message despite having iCloud+ 2 TB

Update: Apple Support recommends logging out and back into your Media & Purchases account on the device. Go to Settings -> [name] -> Media & Purchases -> Sign Out, then sign back in, it worked for me

https://9to5mac.com/2026/09/22/icloud-storage-notification-glitch-puts-unremovable-red-badge-on-settings-app/

“it fails on step 5 Tap: Activate iCloud Storage: when I get to this step, my storage is already active with it showing my current subscription. I too have had this issue and with the same 200GB plan with only 35GB used in the family. This has been an issue since IOS27 was installed. 15 Pro Max”

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Thank you for clarifying that….

To the OP and ALL those Affected.

Report this to Apple:

Do your Part: Provide Apple with feedback on this, reporting it as a bug.  Apple may not get back to you directly, but the more feedback they receive on this, the more they will know what issues reside, and what needs to be fixed. These are just user-to-user forums. You are NOT speaking with Apple here. Apple barely reads these forums in their own will and time. No one here has access to your account (and that is a GOOD thing, BTW).

1. Go Here: Feedback - iCloud - Apple
2. Select: "Storage" for the "Feedback Type"
3. Comment: that this all started after installing an update. Include the URL of this thread.
4. Proceed from there as necessary

"iPhone displays 'Activate iCloud Storage' message despite having iCloud+ 2 TB: iPhones suddenly has message on Settings that says 'Activate iCloud Storage' even though I have iCloud+ with 2 TB storage. iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 17 Pro Max updated to iOS 26.7 in the last 24 hours"

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Ridding of Update Prompt:

I. Turn this Off, Temporarily:

1. Tap: Settings
2. Tap: [your name]
3. Tap: iCloud
4. Tap: Manage Plan (in iCloud+ Features pane
5. Tap: Activate iCloud Storage
6. Tap: Continue
7. Tap: Not Now at the very bottom
8. Scroll Down: the the bottom
9. Tap: Not Now

Screenshot:

then...

II. Clear iCloud Storage:

Seems your iCloud Storage is almost full. So, see about clearing your iCloud Drive, extracting it first. You'd perform this extract using a computer. From there, Force Restart your iPhone.

A. Remove VPNs:

Have any VPNs turned on? If so, remove them from your device, or just turn them off, if required for school or work.

B. Download All of iCloud Drive:

If you wanted to, you could download all of iCloud Drive, and then trash what is in there. Perform my User Tip: Getting a Quick and Direct "iCloud Drive-to-External Hard Drive" Download - User Tip. All would be saved, and would then be removed. You would then use Finder to browse all of you downloaded iCloud Drive data.

C. How to Upgrade iCloud+ Storage:

Go Here: Buy iCloud+ or Upgrade your Current Storage Plan - Apple Support

Edit...

"iPhone displays 'Activate iCloud Storage' message despite having iCloud+ 2 TB: I have over 1 TB of free iCloud space, so I am not sure this is correct. Looks like a bug to me. But I will try the first step."

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Thank you for the information...

Millions of Participants are Upgrading:

Note that many are performing this upgrade at this moment, and there is only so much that Apple's server can handle. So Apple's servers may be busy. When traffic is slow, it will likely go away.

For me:

When I upgraded, I am not getting this error, and, having performed it in the middle of the night, my ISP's data was likely not in upheaval.

"iPhone displays 'Activate iCloud Storage' message despite having iCloud+ 2 TB: [...]I will try the first step."

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Any success in doing so?...

Turning this Prompt Off, Temporarily:

1. Tap: Settings
2. Tap: [your name]
3. Tap: iCloud
4. Tap: Manage Plan (in iCloud+ Features pane
5. Tap: Activate iCloud Storage
6. Tap: Continue
7. Tap: Not Now at the very bottom
8. Scroll Down: the the bottom
9. Tap: Not Now

Screenshot:

Hello,

I click on manage plan but it does not give me the option to do anything, not even activate my icloud storage. I have 1.3 TB available. I tried force restart, running diagnostics but nothing works and the notification still remains.

it fails on step 5 Tap: Activate iCloud Storage

when I get to this step, my storage is already active with it showing my current subscription.

I too have had this issue and with the same 200GB plan with only 35GB used in the family. This has been an issue since IOS27 was installed.

15 Pro Max

I have over 1 TB of free iCloud space, so I am not sure this is correct. Looks like a bug to me. But I will try the first step.

Did it work?

My conspiracy theory mind sez, “Sounds like a way to garnish revenues.” Hopefully, just a bug from last update!

I have the same issue and i do not have the NOY NOW button to get rid of the Activate ICloud storage i have the 200Gb and more then enough storage.

This worked. Almost surely is the right solution to this specific problem. Good work and thank you Appleuser61.

-original poster in this thread.

Worked for me.