Apps disappearing after iOS 26 update due to restrictions on iPhone

Hello everyone,

My dad sets restrictions on my phone making it so that I have time limits for certain apps such as Instagram and TikTok. In addition, there are also restrictions that prohibit my phone from having 18+ apps. However, after updating my IPhone 13 to IOS 26, the apps have disappeared from my phone and it says that I must ask parents to exempt the restriction despite having it previously downloaded on my phone??? I keep resetting my phone and one minute its there, the next it isn't. Does anybody have any input?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Apps Disappearing after IOS 26 Update

iPhone 13, iOS 26

Posted on Sep 17, 2025 10:28 PM

Top-ranking reply

swa79

Level 1

14 points

Posted on Sep 21, 2025 6:16 AM

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.

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37 replies

aqn_541

Level 1

8 points

Sep 22, 2025 7:32 PM in response to prodys444

Mine is also like this. I can’t change the restrictions on my phone due to parental decisions, but when I completely turn off my phone I can use my apps such as Snapchat and instagram, but after an hour or so they just disappear. After experiencing this multiple times nothing has changed. Anyone else have advice on what to do?

Iz2y

Level 1

8 points

Sep 24, 2025 10:52 AM in response to prodys444

My daughter who is over 13 is having the same issues with her apps now. She does have some restrictions on her phone like screen time but her DOB is on her phone and apps are set for 17+ so quite sure why they keep disappearing.

Oct 16, 2025 3:29 PM in response to prodys444

So here is the issue as I see it. The restrictions I’ve set up via Screentime on my daughter’s iPad allow for 9+ Apps. After the update, Roblox disappeared for her. I went in and Approved an exception for this App to be allowed even while rated 13+. It worked UNTIL it stops working. We updated the App and reinstalled it and it works UNTIL it again stops. There is definitely a software glitch that is occurring as even though the App appears in ScreenTime being granted an exception, it does not work unless repeatedly deleted and reinstalled and reapproved for the exception. Apple needs to fix.