Fix Screen Time App Limits doesn’t work at all in iOS 26
Use these tips if daily app limits don’t apply, and app usage isn’t blocked after a certain amount of time on your child’s iPhone or iPad.
Set a Screen Time passcode
The main goal of the App Limits feature is to block app usage after a set period of time, and there is a “Block After Limit” toggle to do just that. However, this option only shows if you have set a Screen Time passcode.
So, move on to iOS Settings > Screen Time and press Lock Screen Time Settings to add one. If you’re setting up one for your child, be sure to go through these tips first: How to set your child’s Screen Time passcode correctly.
Turn on “Block at End of Limit”
After setting a Screen Time passcode, tap an existing limit or create a new one, and confirm that “Block at the End of the Limit” is turned on. If it’s turned off, app restrictions won’t completely prevent you from using the app in any meaningful way; your child can tap Ignore the Limit overstepping the bounds.
Make sure you choose the right apps
When setting an app limit, select all categories or make sure you select the correct app. Similarly, if you’re adding restrictions to a website, double-check to make sure you’ve entered the correct site URL.
Note that limits reset at midnight
All app limits reset automatically at midnight. There is no way to change it or set weekly or monthly app limits. So, if you see your child using a restricted app at midnight, know that the restriction has been reset. To prevent app usage during these idle hours, use the Downtime feature instead.
Restart your iPhone after setting the limit
Screen Time features may fail to work due to timing issues. Just restart your iPhone or iPad, and the app limitation issue should be resolved.
Update to the latest version of iOS
In case your iPhone or iPad is not running the latest version of iOS 26 or iPadOS 26, install the new version from Settings > General > Software Updates.
Remove and re-add restrictions
If your apps are still not locked after the daily time limits, go back to iOS Settings > Screen Time > Application limitationsthen swipe left on the extra limit to remove it. Then, restart your iPhone or iPad and add the limit again.
Turn off the Screen Time passcode and add it again
Sometimes, resetting or changing your Screen Time passcode can help resolve related issues. Go to iOS Settings > Screen Time > Change the screen time passcode and choose Turn off Screen Time Passcode. Then restart your iPhone and set the same or different four-digit passcode.
Refresh Screen Time
You can consider turning off and on App Restrictions to fix the problem. Go to Settings > Screen Time and press Close Application and Website Activity from the ground up. Restart your iPhone or iPad, then turn it on again by tapping Application and website function > Open the application and website function in the iOS Screen Time settings.
Reset all settings and start over
In the event that the app restrictions are still not working, you can wait for the next software update or reset all the device settings and set everything up again. Note that resetting settings does not remove apps, photos, music, files, or other data from your iPhone or iPad.
The above tips should take care of the app limitations issue; However, if the problem is not resolved, you can consider wiping the iPhone or iPad and setting it up again. But this is a big question, and I would recommend that you follow the above tips more carefully than that.
Which of the above solutions work for you?
