Apple Introduces New Age-Verification Tools To Meet Global Regulations

Apple is introducing new age-verification and “age assurance” tools to comply with growing age-restriction laws in multiple countries, including the U.S., Brazil, Australia, and Singapore.

The company has expanded its Declared Age Range API, now available in beta, enabling developers to determine a user’s age category without collecting sensitive personal information such as a date of birth, thereby supporting compliance with legal requirements.

Apple will block downloads of 18+ rated apps in Brazil, Australia, and Singapore until users confirm they are adults, with the App Store handling age confirmation automatically. The new rules follow a series of global efforts to restrict minors’ access to apps featuring social networking, explicit material, or gambling-related elements.

In Brazil, games that include loot boxes with gambling-like in-app purchase features will be assigned an 18+ rating to limit access by minors. For new Apple Accounts in Utah (from May 6, 2026) and Louisiana (from July 1, 2026), users’ age categories will be shared with developers’ apps upon request through the API, supporting compliance with state-level regulations.

In a blog post announcing the updates, Apple said, “New signals are now available through the Declared Age Range API, including whether age-related regulatory requirements apply to the user and if the user is required to share their age range. The API will also let you know if you need to get a parent or guardian's permission for significant app updates for a child. “