WhatsApp will not open on iPhone unless restrictions are turned off after iOS 26 update

Are you managing Screen Time from your device that has not been updated to iOS 26?

With iOS 26 there was a change in the age ratings. Prior to iOS 26 they were:

• 4+
• 9+
• 12+
• 17+
• Unrated

Age ratings - Reference - App Store Connect - Help - Apple Developer

With iOS 26, they added an age group and are:

• 4+
• 9+
• 13+
• 16+
• 18+
• Unrated

Age ratings - Reference - App Store Connect - Help - Apple Developer

Loulouben wrote:

thanks for replying. Nope, as far as I am aware I have not restricted Whatsapp anywhere as previously before the IOS update she could use WhatsApp

If you go through the two areas of Content restrictions and Allowed App Restrictions, which ones say Don't allow or turned off?

Loulouben wrote:

Hi,

I might not have been clear in my message. I definitely want the restrictions in place but when they are on she no longer has access to WhatsApp since updating to IOS26.

Worth noting my 13 year old does not have any other social media platforms on her phone this is the only app she uses to message friends.

I think you missed the point that KiltedTim was making. If you are concerned about Privacy & Safety, it is likely that you are better off with your 13 year old daughter not using WhatsApp. Apple cannot control who your daughter is communicating with on that app and you are unable to view any of the conversations.

The Messages app would be the preferred choice in that case where you can control who your daughter contacts and more importantly restrict users who are not in the Contacts from contacting your daughter.

I understand that is not the answer to your question, just trying to explain the post you were replying to. We can all agree that Safety is the paramount issue.

Loulouben wrote:

Hi,

the only ones that are toggled off are Fitness, News and Health

Strangely WhatsApp does not appear in the list.

I think you are going to have to turn things off one by one until you find the culprit, we'll just turn it off and accept that she's probably old enough to use the phone as it is

Loulouben wrote:

My daughter has updated her iPhone to the latest IOS and now can no longer access WhatsApp unless I turn off the content and privacy restrictions!! Which is not what we want as the restrictions are there to keep her safe.

Actually, I would say this is exactly what you want if you're concerned about privacy and safety...

What are you restricting in that Screen Time setting? Presumably not Whatsapp or it would not make sense.