iOS 26 Screen Time Not Working? 9 Helpful Fixes!

iPhone users keep reporting Screen Time issues in Apple Forums, and many of them are asking for a workaround for these headache bugs.

Relax! This post will introduce 9 ways to fix Screen Time issues on the latest iOS 26. Read on to figure out what they are.

Common Screen Time Issues on iOS 26

Here, we’ve collected the most common Screen Time issues for you. Check if you’re experiencing any of these issues on your iPhone.

• Cannot open/access Screen Time in Settings (freezes).
• Screen Time keeps crashing.
• Screen Time widget crashes - blank with no information.
• Can't ignore limit - ignore options don't work.
• The remote Screen Time limit doesn't work.
• Screen Time crashes the Settings app.
• Cannot make any changes to Screen Time.
• Bank accounts are being locked by Screen Time.

These issues can have mild to severe impacts on iPhone users, from being unable to use certain apps or all apps to not being able to open bank accounts or complete transactions.

Possible Causes of Screen Time Issues on iOS 26

Here are some possible causes of iOS 26 Screen Time issues:

• iOS 26 bugs and issues.
• Compatibility - there are software conflicts between some Screen Time settings or third-party apps and the new iOS 26 system.
• Inconsistencies in synchronization between devices (for multiple devices).

How to Fix "Screen Time Not Working" Issues on iPhone

Now that you already have a general understanding of the common iOS 26 Screen Time issues and causes, let's go directly to their workarounds.

Fix 1: Force Restart Your iPhone

Sometimes, a simple force restart can easily fix some system bugs. The way to force restart an iPhone varies from the iPhone model.

Fix 2: Change the Date Manually

Users have reported that manually changing the date in the Date & Time settings can temporarily fix the issue.

Try this method if you urgently need to use your apps. Here’s how:

1. Go to iPhone Settings＞General＞Date & Time.
2. Turn off Set Automatically.

   

3. Change the date manually.

Fix 3: Turn Off Share Across Devices

As mentioned above, one possible cause is inconsistencies in synchronization between devices (if you use multiple devices). Try turning off Share Across Devices.

Fix 4: Turn Off App & Website Activity

App & Website Activity may not always work properly. Turning off App & Website Activity to disable real-time reporting, Downtime, App Limits, and Always Allowed, and then turning it on to refresh the data.

Fix 5: Erase All Content and Settings

Erasing all content and settings may help you clear out some incorrect settings. But it will also erase your iPhone. It is recommended that you back up your iPhone to your Mac first.

Here is how:

1. Back up your iPhone to your Mac.
2. Erase All Content and Settings: Go to iPhone Settings＞General＞Transfer or Reset iPhone＞Erase All Content and Settings.

   

3. Restore the backup from your Mac.

Fix 6: Update Your iOS

Bugs in iOS can be the culprit. To troubleshoot, update your iPhone’s iOS. If no update is currently available, you can either wait for the next official release or use BuhoRepair, a system repair tool, to install a beta version.

To check available updates on your iPhone:

1. Go to iPhone Settings＞General > Software Update.
2. If an update is available, tap "Update Now" and follow the onscreen download and installation instructions.

Fix 7: Remove Screen Time Passcode and Reset

Some iPhone users have reported that the Screen Time passcode isn’t working, or the Ignore option doesn’t function properly. In this case, you can remove the Screen Time passcode and reset it. If you can’t access the Screen Time settings to turn off the passcode, try using the professional Screen Time passcode remover, BuhoUnlocker. This iPhone passcode unlocker makes it easy to remove your iPhone’s Screen Time passcode.

Here's how:

1. Download, install, and launch BuhoUnlocker.
2. Connect your iPhone to your Mac via a USB cable.
3. Click Remove Screen Time Passcode.

   

4. Click Remove Now.

   

5. Put your iPhone into Recovery Mode.
6. Wait for the unlocking process to complete.

Fix 8: Sign Out of Your Apple ID and Sign In Again

To reset Screen Time settings, you can also sign out of your Apple ID and sign in again. Follow the steps below:

Go to iPhone Settings＞Your Name＞Scroll down and find the Sign Out button＞Tap the Sign Out button＞Enter your Apple ID password to confirm this action.

Besides the above methods, here are some attempts worth a try: turn off Downtime, disable Low Power Mode, reset App Limit, check the System Status page, check Always Allowed Apps, etc.

Fix 9: Downgrade Your iOS

If you’re frustrated with bugs in iOS 26, you can downgrade to a previous version. Here, we’ll introduce an easy way to do this using a professional iOS downgrade tool like BuhoRepair.

Here is how:

1. Free download, install, and launch BuhoRepair.
2. Click Upgrade/Downgrade iOS＞Select Downgrade Version＞Downgrade Now.

   

3. Select the IOS version you want to downgrade and click Download.

   

4. When the download is complete, click Downgrade Now.
5. Wait for the downgrade process to complete.

The Bottom Line

Have you got these fixes? At least one of them can help you successfully fix the iOS 26 Screen Time not working issue.