Greyed-out apps after updating from App Store in iPadOS 26.1

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Level 1

12 points

Greyed-out apps after updating from App Store in iPadOS 26.1

Greyed-out apps: iPadOS 26.1 bug, or something else?

Following the upgrade to iPadOS 26.1 on my iPad Pro 11" (4th generation), many of the apps are greyed out AFTER updating from the app store. Each app updates (Waiting... Loading... Installing...) and ends up "greyed-out". It cannot be opened with a single tap, but the menus work with a long press, and each app can be opened in other ways (e.g. from the App Store), and seems to be fully functional in every other respect.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Updated apps greyed out

Posted on Dec 4, 2025 2:07 AM

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Answer 1

Ingo2711

Level 10

80,091 points

Dec 4, 2025 3:32 AM in response to MacGaradh

Did you already force restart the iPad after the update?

Restart iPad - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Ingo2711

Level 10

80,091 points

Dec 4, 2025 8:10 AM in response to MacGaradh

Any restrictions set up, is there a profile installed or is it a managed device?

Did you trey to set it back to factory settings, and then setting it up as a new device, without using any backup?

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings using a computer - Apple Support

If the apps work after that, restore from the backup and test it again.

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Answer 3

MacGaradh Author

Level 1

12 points

Dec 13, 2025 2:17 AM in response to Ingo2711

This appears to be a known issue related to how Apple implemented its granular age rating system in recent software updates, causing an inverse logic error or a synchronisation problem between the user's account age and the local device's Screen Time settings.

However, I have been unable to reverse the logic by changing the age restriction settings. My account is set to 18+, but now (after upgrading to iPadOS 26.2), I get this truly illogical error on many apps:

[app] Exceeds Your Age Rating

Your app age rating is set to 18+, but [app] is rated 4+

This message does not change at all if I try to change my account age limit, or even if I remove app restrictions altogether.

Now what?

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Answer 4

MacGaradh Author

Level 1

12 points

Dec 4, 2025 7:27 AM in response to Ingo2711

I have tried restarting, erasing all contents, and even a DFU mode restore, but the outcome is the same every time.

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