Apps gone due to restrictions after dowloading iOS 26

I just installed iOS 26 and now almost half of my apps are gone due to them being restricted. I've tried going into my settings and turning the restrictions off, but they are still restricted. I am underage but my parents don't have iPhones and they use Verizon Family Companion to restrict my apps. However, it only restricts apps that are 18+. After the update, I cant even use apps that are 12+ and I think that's ridiculous. Is there any way I can get my apps back?

iPhone 16, iOS 26

Posted on Sep 23, 2025 1:56 PM

Top-ranking reply

mumbojumb0

Level 1

14 points

Posted on Jan 19, 2026 9:07 AM

We had a similar problem on my daughter's phone after upgrading to 26.2. The phone is not linked to a family account. Spotify, WhatsApp etc icons were greyed out (any app with age restriction settings) and could not be used.

In the age restriction settings: go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions, then tap Apps

The age restriction global setting was showing correctly as 18+
The apps listed under global setting could not be changed (greyed out)
We tried absolutely everything, eventually the only fix was to "reset all settings" which immediately solved the problem.

View in context

35 replies

shanny31

Level 1

8 points

Dec 12, 2025 9:27 AM in response to ohmylatte

Were you able to find a fix.. this happened to my son's phone this morning.. and we are trying to figure it out.. it's awful.

Jan 30, 2026 10:45 PM in response to mumbojumb0

After 24 hours of absolute frustration, confusion and almost just buying a new phone that wasn’t Apple. This was the solution. THANK YOU. This is absolutely ridiculous, but THANK YOU

Oct 24, 2025 10:59 AM in response to ohmylatte

I am having the same issue. Tried the suggestions out there including resetting everything and have the same issue with certain apps still having restrictions even when set to 18+ and even when restrictions turned off. This started with IOS 26 update. Has anyone found a solution?

Nov 17, 2025 3:33 AM in response to ohmylatte

I am experiencing this as well. I’m 15 but suddenly not able to download any apps higher than 9+. I have changed my age range on apps multiple times but it continues to revert back to this. I’ve even taken off content restrictions in general. I would love to have this bug fixed. Please reply to me with any updates.

Mac Jim ID

Level 9

64,352 points

Dec 10, 2025 5:49 PM in response to liabres24

liabres24 wrote:

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/b5763dde-b42d-4372-b6a6-fd707b1c834b

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/d734c6ae-1dac-449e-9705-561ea806a690

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/65c22b69-7298-46c6-915d-0e479ceba057

Are you part of a Family Sharing group? If so, it is the Organizers settings they have made on your account that makes the difference. When using both on device and Organizers settings, the most restrictive setting will be applied. It is certainly possible that you don't have anything on your device in Screen Time, where the Organizers settings are being applied. I would recommend to leave the Family Sharing group and try again. As long as the age on your account is over 13, that should not be a problem.

Apps gone due to restrictions after dowloading iOS 26