How to Delete Greyed Out Documents on Pages on iPhone

Have you ever encountered the frustrating issue of greyed out documents on Pages on your iPhone? It can be quite annoying when you want to access or delete these files, but they seem to be stuck. Luckily, there are several methods you can try to resolve this issue and regain control over your documents. In this blog post, we will explore different ways to delete greyed out documents on Pages on your iPhone, including step-by-step instructions and pros and cons for each method.

The Challenge of Deleting Greyed Out Documents on Pages:

  • Limited storage space is consumed by these greyed out documents.
  • Difficult to identify and delete these files due to their greyed out status.
  • The unclear reason behind the greyed out appearance of documents.
  • Inability to access or edit greyed out documents.

Video Tutorial:

Method 1. How to Delete Greyed Out Documents on Pages using the Files App:

The Files app on your iPhone provides a convenient way to manage all your documents, including those created in Pages. Here’s how you can delete greyed out documents using this method:

1. Open the Files app on your iPhone.
2. Navigate to the location where the greyed out documents are stored. This can be either in the iCloud Drive or in the local storage.
3. Tap on "Browse" at the bottom of the screen.
4. Select the "Locations" tab on the top left corner of the screen.
5. Choose either "iCloud Drive" or "On My iPhone" depending on the location of the greyed out documents.
6. Locate the greyed out documents that you want to delete.
7. Swipe left on the document you wish to remove, and a red "Delete" button will appear.
8. Tap on "Delete" to remove the document permanently.

Pros:
1. Easy and convenient way to delete greyed out documents.
2. Provides a centralized location to manage all your files.
3. Can delete multiple documents at once by selecting multiple items.

Cons:
1. Requires the Files app to be installed and set up on your iPhone.
2. Deleting a document using this method will permanently remove it, so make sure you have a backup if needed.

Method 2. How to Delete Greyed Out Documents on Pages using the Pages App:

The Pages app itself offers a method to delete greyed out documents. Follow these steps to delete the documents within the app:

1. Open the Pages app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on "Browse" at the bottom of the screen.
3. Select the location where the greyed out documents are stored (iCloud Drive or On My iPhone).
4. Find the greyed out document you wish to delete and swipe left on it.
5. Tap on the red "Delete" button to remove the document permanently.

Pros:
1. Allows you to manage your documents directly within the Pages app.
2. Quick and straightforward method to delete greyed out documents.

Cons:
1. Limited to deleting one document at a time.
2. No option to select multiple documents for deletion.
3. Deleting a document using this method will permanently remove it.

Method 3. How to Delete Greyed Out Documents on Pages using the iCloud Website:

If your greyed out documents are stored in iCloud, you can access the iCloud website from your iPhone’s browser to delete them. Here’s how:

1. Open Safari or any other web browser on your iPhone.
2. Go to the iCloud website (www.icloud.com).
3. Sign in with your Apple ID and password.
4. Tap on the "Pages" icon.
5. Locate the greyed out document you want to delete.
6. Click on the document to open it.
7. Tap on the trash can icon in the toolbar.
8. Confirm the deletion by clicking "Delete" in the pop-up confirmation window.

Pros:
1. Can be done directly from the iCloud website without the need for additional apps.
2. Provides access to other iCloud features and files.

Cons:
1. Requires signing in to the iCloud website and navigating through the interface.
2. Limited to deleting one document at a time.

Method 4. How to Delete Greyed Out Documents on Pages using the Settings App:

Another method to delete greyed out documents on Pages is by using the Settings app on your iPhone. This method allows you to manage the storage space used by Pages and delete documents. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap on "General".
3. Select "iPhone Storage" or "iPad Storage" (depending on your device).
4. Locate and tap on "Pages" in the list of apps.
5. Tap on "Offload App" to remove the Pages app.
6. Confirm the deletion by tapping "Offload App" again in the pop-up confirmation window.
7. Wait for the app to be offloaded from your device.
8. Reinstall the Pages app from the App Store.
9. Open the Pages app and navigate to the location of the greyed out documents.
10. Swipe left on the document you want to delete and tap on "Delete".

Pros:
1. Helps free up storage space by offloading and reinstalling the Pages app.
2. Allows you to start with a fresh installation of the Pages app.
3. Can delete multiple documents at once by selecting multiple items.

Cons:
1. Requires reinstalling the Pages app, which may take time and data.
2. Deletes all documents within the Pages app, not just the greyed out ones.

Alternatives: What to Do If You Can’t Delete Greyed Out Documents:

If the methods mentioned above did not work for you, here are three alternative solutions you can try:

1. Restart your iPhone: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve minor software glitches. Press and hold the Power button until the "slide to power off" message appears. Slide to power off, and then turn on your iPhone again.

2. Update Pages: Make sure you have the latest version of the Pages app installed on your iPhone. Open the App Store, go to the "Updates" tab, and check if there is an update available for Pages. If yes, tap on "Update" to install the latest version.

3. Contact Apple Support: If none of the above methods work, it’s best to reach out to Apple Support for further assistance. They can provide personalized solutions or troubleshoot the issue for you.

Bonus Tips:

Here are three bonus tips to keep in mind when dealing with greyed out documents on Pages:

1. Regularly backup your documents: To avoid any data loss, make sure to regularly backup your documents using iCloud or other cloud storage services.

2. Clear cache: Clearing the cache of the Pages app can help resolve various issues, including greyed out documents. To do this, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage) > Pages > Offload App > Reinstall.

3. Use an alternative document editing app: If you continue to experience issues with Pages, consider using alternative document editing apps available on the App Store. Some popular options include Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and WPS Office.

5 FAQs about Deleting Greyed Out Documents on Pages:

Q1: Why are my documents appearing greyed out on Pages?

A: The greyed out appearance of documents on Pages can be due to various reasons, such as file corruption, incorrect file format, or a software glitch.

Q2: Can I recover deleted greyed out documents?

A: Once you delete a greyed out document, it is permanently removed from your device. However, if you have a backup of your device or files, you may be able to restore them.

Q3: Will deleting greyed out documents free up storage space on my iPhone?

A: Yes, deleting greyed out documents will free up storage space on your iPhone, as it removes the files from your device’s storage.

Q4: Can I recover deleted greyed out documents from iCloud?

A: If you have enabled iCloud backup and your greyed out documents were stored in iCloud Drive, you may be able to recover them from an iCloud backup. However, this process may involve restoring your entire device from the backup.

Q5: Why can’t I delete greyed out documents on Pages using the methods mentioned?

A: If the methods provided in this blog post do not work for you, it is recommended to contact Apple Support for personalized assistance and troubleshooting.

In Conclusion:

Deleting greyed out documents on Pages can be frustrating, but with the right methods and approaches, you can regain control over your files. In this blog post, we explored different methods for deleting greyed out documents on Pages, including using the Files app, the Pages app, the iCloud website, and the Settings app. Additionally, we provided alternative solutions and bonus tips to help you overcome any challenges you may encounter. Remember to always backup your important documents and seek assistance from Apple Support if the issue persists.