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iOS 26.2 Time Limit Issue

Update to iOS 26.5 To Resolve Time Limit Issue

✅ Apple has fixed the iOS 26.2+ time limit problem in iOS 26.5. If you are on iOS 26.2, 26.3 or 26.4, and want more-reliable Time Limit’s, you should update your iOS version. iOS 26.5 was released on May 11, 2026.

Directions to update your iOS version:

  1. Go to the Settings app on your iPhone.

    iOS 26.2 Time Limit Issue image 1

  2. Tap General, then tap Software Update.

  3. Tap Download and Install, then follow the onscreen instructions.


The Problem

Starting iOS 26.2, Apple has introduced a new issue with Time Limits.

  • If your device is on iOS 26.2 (or higher), you may experience a problem where all your Time Limits activate as soon as you pick up your device for the first time. The issue occurs sporadically and unpredictably.

  • ⚠️ All apps have this issue, including Apple's Screen Time "App Limits" feature. There’s no permanent fix until Apple resolves it in iOS.


Temporary Fixes

  • ✅ Turn on “Auto-Refresh Time Limits” in Advanced Settings which will try to automatically refresh limits on the first open of Refocus each day. Available on Refocus version 2.0.24 and above.

iOS 26.2 Time Limit Issue image 2

  • The issue can be mitigated by pressing the “Fix App Blocking” button. This will “refresh” the limits which should resolve this specific problem for the day. The button can be accessed by going to Refocus settings (gear icon on top right corner) > select Advanced Settings > Fix App Blocking.

  • Alternatively, you can re-save the blocking session which will also re-calculate the limit.

  • If you have at least two Time Limit sessions, Refocus will likely be a little better about helping you resolve this problem.

The issue has been reported to Apple by Refocus (and other screen time apps). It’s only fixable by Apple, but Refocus is trying to come up with steps to make it easy to resolve if you do encounter it.

Refocus will remove in-app warnings once we are reasonably confident the problem is fixed by Apple on a new iOS version.

Learn more about Time Limit issues


Alternatives

Instead of using the “Time Limit” feature, you can use the “Unblock Limit” strict mode with “Schedules” which allows you to set daily limits without the reliance on Apple Screen Time. For example, to set a 1 hour limit: choose 4 unblocks per day, with a max unblock duration of 15 minutes. That will allow you to unblock 4 times per day, for 15 minutes each, adding up to a total of 1 hour of usage.

If possible, you can also avoid this issue by downgrading to iOS 26.0 or 26.1.


How You Can Help

If you are an Apple beta tester, or an Apple developer, you can also file feedback using https://feedbackassistant.apple.com (Developer Technologies & SDKs > iOS > Device Activity Framework > Events). You can mention the feedback number Refocus created for Apple: “FB21267341”. Alternatively, you could reach out to Apple Support, and mention the problem and the feedback number (”FB21267341”), it may get forwarded to Apple developers so this gets fixed quicker.

This issue also affects the native Apple Screen Time “app limit” feature: