Apps disappearing after iOS 26 update due to restrictions on iPhone

My daughter and I had the same problem. It seems to me that age restrictions are being enforced more strictly after the update to iOS 26.

I had to change the age restriction for apps under "Screen Time" -> "Restrictions" from 12+ to the next level (17+). Then my daughter was able to use WhatsApp, Instragram, Snapchat on her phone after the update again.

I had this issue with my sons iPhone and have resolved it.

go to - settings - general - transfer and reset- reset - reset all settings. This will reset any settings but won’t delete data etc. I had tried everything before this, removing restrictions etc, but still wouldn’t work. Resetting the settings will erase any restriction glitches in the phone that are stopping the apps working.

Same issue here with Granddaughters iPad. Apps which have exceptions randomly disappear or stop. It’s definitely an iOS26 issue with the new exceptions. Was fine before upgrade.

I felt there was some kind of sync issue so tried turning off Share between Devices in Focus and it is working so far?

This is absolutely an iOS/iPadOS bug. I upgraded both of my kids iPads to iPadOS 26 because the theory of the new app restrictions was great -- there are a few apps that required a much higher age rating than I wanted to allow (like some streaming apps that want 9+ for a 5 year old, when the apps themselves had parental controls).

Now, after the iPadOS 26 upgrade, I am able to grant those exceptions, but there is a sync issue somewhere in the Apple backend -- the app icons on their home screen literally blink on and off as it tries to decide whether or not to allow the restricted app. I can reboot their device and it might be fixed -- for a few minutes or few hours, then gets out of sync again requiring a reboot. In the app store it allows me to add an exception -- which, I have done for Roblox and the option has gone away -- and sometimes the app will launch, sometimes it won't - depending on whether it is on the home screen or not.

Fixed It! Follow the below, click on the apps and change age range to unrated.

To use age-restricted apps on an iOS device running iOS 26, you will likely need to adjust the app age rating within your device's Screen Time settings. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and then navigate to App Store, Media, Web & Games to set an appropriate age limit or allow specific apps. 

No it is 100% an apple bug. Even with all screen time limits off and only with app age restrictions the restricted apps still seem to randomly disappear unpredictably even when those apps have been allowed by the parent.

It's not always the iOS update's fault!  Many things can cause phone problems.  If you tell people you think it's an iOS update, it might make it harder to fix or find a solution for the real issue.

Remember, the right question often leads to the solution!

Was/Is your device Jailbroken? If that's the situation, please be informed that attributing the issues to iOS updates may not be accurate.

iOS updates aim to enhance user experience, boost security, and fix bugs rather than disrupt core features. The majority of the issues after updates might stem from underlying, unmentioned factors. Updates won't typically alter personal data but may refine settings or features. Backup before major updates for safety. Review Apple's update details and backup advice for a smooth process.

Kindly consider checking your settings and addressing any device issues before attributing the issue to external factors. This could be a pure coincidence that the iOS update affected the iPhone functions.

Before initiating a standard iOS update, it's advisable to create a backup. Have you completed this step? If yes, proceed with the restoration from the backup.

See what each update does: OS — iOS 26, About iOS 18 Updates, About iOS 17 Updates, About iOS 16 Updates, About iOS 15 Updates, About iOS 14 Updates, About iOS 13 Updates, About iOS 12 Updates, and so on...

Same. My Whatsapp keeps disappearing too. Im 14 but there is no 13+ option anymore. With the new iOS update, they removed the 13+ age restriction option and changed it to 12+.In addition, apps in the App Store restriction are 13+. There are no 12+ apps.

[Edited by Moderator]

Just an FYI, Roblox released another update 5 hours ago. Users on another site are reporting that if the delete the installed version, turn iPhone off and on and then download the new version, it’s fixed.

I told my grandson, but haven’t heard if it’s actually fixed permanently.

I have discovered it’s a time limit for screen time. It doesn’t have to do with parental controls. It only affects it because the parental controls have time limits. I have time limits on my phone and they are always used up before I even touch them because of the new iOS update.

apple needs to fix the screen time issue is the problem.

rzi3d wrote:

I’m having the same exact issue. Apps like telegram and discord and Waze show up as 16+. My age rating is set to 13+ with those apps as exceptions and they disappear and reappear randomly.

Hello~ See this link that I have already posted here…

Apple expands tools to help parents protect kids and teens online - Apple

~Katana-San~

Check with your Parents for any Screen Time Restrictions they may have set.

[Edited by Moderator]

My daughter is having the exact same issue with apps disappearing after iOS 26 update. I have now given permission again 3 times and they are still not staying put on her phone. Very frustrating for both of us.

Hello,

my mother set restrictions on my iPad when I was a child, but I am now 18 and my IPhone knows that, but when I updates to IOS26, all of my social media apps offloaded. I can’t redownload them because it says restriction when I have no restrictions on. Please help.