Fix Screen Time App Limits not working at all in iOS 26

Use these tips if daily app limits don’t come into effect, and app usage is not blocked after the allotted time on your or 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 fixed time, and there is a “Block at End of Limit” toggle to do just that. However, this option shows only when you have set up a Screen Time passcode.

So, head over to iOS Settings > Screen Time and tap Lock Screen Time Settings to add one. If you’re setting one for your child, make sure to go through these tips first: How to set Screen Time passcode for your child the right way

Turn on “Block at End of Limit”

After setting up the Screen Time passcode, tap an existing limit or create a new one, and make sure “Block at End of Limit” is on. If it’s off, app limits won’t completely block app usage in any meaningful way; your child can tap Ignore Limit to bypass the restrictions.

Make sure you have selected the right apps

When setting the app limit, select entire categories or make sure you pick the right app. Similarly, if you’re adding limits to a website, double-check to ensure you’ve entered the correct site URL.

Know that the limits reset at midnight

All app limits you set reset automatically at midnight. There is no way to change it or set app limits on a weekly or monthly basis. So, if you see your child using a restricted app around midnight, know that the limit has been reset. To prevent app usage during these off hours, use the Downtime feature instead.

Restart your iPhone after setting the limit

Screen Time features may fail to take effect due to temporary glitches. Simply reboot your iPhone or iPad, and the app limit issue should be resolved.

Update to the latest version of iOS

In case your iPhone or iPad isn’t running the latest version of iOS 26 or iPadOS 26, install the newest version from Settings > General > Software Update.

Delete and re-add the limits

If your apps still don’t lock behind daily time limits, return to iOS Settings > Screen Time > App Limits, and swipe left on an added limit to delete it. Then, restart your iPhone or iPad and add the limit again.

Turn off the Screen Time passcode and add it again

Sometimes, just refreshing or changing your Screen Time passcode can help address related problems. Go to iOS Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode and select Turn Off Screen Time Passcode. Then restart your iPhone and set the same four-digit code or a different one.

Refresh Screen Time

You can consider turning App Limits off and back on to fix the issue. Go to Settings > Screen Time and tap Turn Off App & Website Activity from the bottom. Restart your iPhone or iPad, then enable it again by tapping App & Website Activity > Turn On App & Website Activity in iOS Screen Time settings.

Reset all settings and start over

In case app limits still don’t come into effect, you can either wait for a future software update or reset all device settings and set up everything again. Note that resetting just the settings doesn’t delete apps, photos, music, files, or other data from your iPhone or iPad.

The above tips should take care of the app limits problem; however, in case the issue is unsolved, you can consider erasing the iPhone or iPad and setting it up again. But this is a huge ask, and I would recommend following the above tips carefully instead.

Which of the above solutions work for you?

Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2026/03/12/fix-app-limits-not-working/