Mon, 2 Nov 2026
Apple · Child safety

Apple starts App Store age verification in several countries

In Australia, Brazil and Singapore, 18+ apps can now be downloaded only after a user is confirmed to be an adult.

Osamah Ismail · Founder & Editor-in-Chief
· 1 min read · Updated:
Apple starts App Store age verification in several countries
Image: Apple

What changed?

From February 24, 2026, Apple blocks downloads of 18+ apps in three countries until the user is confirmed to be an adult:

  • Australia
  • Brazil
  • Singapore

In Brazil, apps with loot boxes are also rated 18+.

United States

  • Utah: new accounts created from May 6, 2026.
  • Louisiana: from July 1, 2026.

In these states, the user's age category will be shared with developers through the Declared Age Range API.

In Texas, Apple paused its changes in December after a court blocked the law.

Why?

More and more countries are passing child online safety laws, and Apple is updating the App Store to comply.

Sources: Apple Developer News, TechCrunch
Osamah Ismail

Founder and editor-in-chief of Kurd Developers. Phone and tech news on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.