Apple has announced a major update to its App Store policies, requiring all developers to provide detailed information about their app’s age rating. This new requirement, which builds on Apple’s earlier privacy nutrition labels, aims to strengthen protections for younger users.
The deadline for compliance is January 31, 2026. Any developer who fails to update their app’s age rating details by then risks removal from the App Store.
Age Ratings Now Include Specific Content Areas
Developers must now complete a revised questionnaire that includes questions in four key areas:
- In-app controls
- App capabilities
- Medical or wellness content
- Violent or sensitive themes
Apple says these updates will ensure apps receive appropriate age ratings and help users—especially parents—make better decisions about what their children access.
Automatic Ratings, Limited Adjustments
Based on the developer’s responses, Apple will assign an age rating to each app. While developers can choose to raise the rating if they believe it’s necessary, they cannot lower it. This ensures consistency and prevents attempts to downplay an app’s maturity level.
The new system also supports Apple’s broader child safety strategy introduced in February 2025. Alongside this update, Apple is offering parents additional parental controls to restrict access to apps based on these ratings.
Industry Pressure and Legal Context
Apple’s move comes after increasing pressure from regulators and privacy advocates. Earlier this year, Utah passed a law requiring tech platforms to verify users’ ages. In response, Apple designed a privacy-friendly system that checks age eligibility without storing or selling personal data.
Social media companies had previously argued that platforms like Apple’s should handle age verification. Apple’s approach addresses these concerns by centralizing the process while respecting user privacy.
This update is a significant step forward in making the App Store a safer place for young users. Developers are encouraged to begin updating their apps now to avoid last-minute issues as the January 2026 deadline approaches.
