Age Assurance API Updates & Compliance: Brazil, Australia, US States & More | Apple Developer

Apple is expanding its age assurance tools and updating its Declared Age Range API as new regulations regarding app access reach into effect across several regions. These changes, impacting developers distributing apps in Brazil, Australia, Singapore, Utah and Louisiana, aim to comply with evolving national and state-level age assurance laws. The updates, announced today, focus on providing developers with the necessary tools to verify user ages and restrict access to age-restricted content.

Declared Age Range API Updates

At the core of these changes is the Declared Age Range API, now available in beta for testing. This API allows developers to obtain a user’s age category, with the user or their parent/guardian consenting to share this information. Crucially, the API also provides a signal indicating the method of age assurance used – how the age was verified. This signal is intended to help developers understand the reliability of the age data they receive. More information about the Declared Age Range API can be found on Apple’s developer documentation.

Restrictions on 18+ Apps

Starting February 24, 2026, Apple will actively block users in Australia, Brazil, and Singapore from downloading apps rated 18+ unless their age has been confirmed as being over 18 through “reasonable methods.” Apple’s App Store will handle this confirmation automatically, but developers are still responsible for independently verifying user ages where required. The Declared Age Range API serves as a key tool to assist developers in this process, providing a signal about a user’s age directly within their apps. This move aligns with growing global concerns about protecting minors from accessing inappropriate content.

For developers in Brazil, apps identified as containing loot boxes through the age rating questionnaire will automatically receive an 18+ rating on the Brazil App Store. This is a specific response to concerns about the potential for gambling-like mechanics within apps and their impact on younger users.

Compliance in Utah and Louisiana

The changes extend to the United States, with specific provisions for Utah and Louisiana. Beginning May 6, 2026, in Utah, and July 1, 2026, in Louisiana, age categories will be shared with developers’ apps when requested via the Declared Age Range API for new Apple Accounts. Apple has expanded existing tools to help developers meet compliance obligations in these states, including the Declared Age Range API, the Significant Change API (under PermissionKit), a new age rating property type in StoreKit, and App Store Server Notifications. The Significant Change API, available through PermissionKit, allows developers to request permission for significant app updates, particularly significant when dealing with younger users. Details on the Significant Change API can be found here.

New Signals and Developer Tools

Beyond simply providing age categories, the Declared Age Range API now offers additional signals. Developers can determine whether age-related regulatory requirements apply to a specific user and whether the user is required to share their age range. The API also indicates if parental or guardian permission is needed for significant app updates for users identified as children. This granular level of information allows developers to tailor their age verification processes and ensure compliance with local regulations. Developers can also utilize the Significant Update Action, currently in beta, to present significant update notifications to adults in Utah and Louisiana, following Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines. Information on age rating codes in StoreKit is available on Apple’s developer site.

How Age Verification Works

The core mechanism relies on the Declared Age Range API. When a user installs or opens an app requesting age information, they will be prompted to provide it. Apple’s system then verifies this information, potentially using various methods, and shares an age category with the app developer (with user consent). The “signal” provided alongside the age category indicates the level of confidence in the verification – for example, whether it was a direct confirmation from the user, a parental consent, or a less reliable method. Developers can then leverage this information to determine whether to grant access to age-restricted content or features.

Implications for Developers

These changes place a significant burden on app developers to update their systems and comply with the new regulations. Developers must integrate the Declared Age Range API into their apps, handle age-related signals appropriately, and implement robust age verification processes. Failure to comply could result in app rejection or removal from the App Store. The updates also highlight the increasing complexity of app distribution, as developers must navigate a patchwork of different regulations across various regions. Apple provides a Q&A resource for age assurance frameworks here.

Privacy and Data Security Considerations

The collection and processing of age data raise important privacy concerns. Developers must ensure they handle this information securely and in compliance with relevant data protection laws, such as GDPR and CCPA. Transparency is also crucial – users should be clearly informed about how their age data is being collected, used, and protected. The reliance on age verification methods also introduces potential vulnerabilities. If a user can circumvent the age verification process, they could gain access to inappropriate content. Developers must implement robust security measures to prevent such circumvention.

What Comes Next

Apple is continuing to refine its age assurance tools and provide developers with the resources they need to comply with evolving regulations. The Declared Age Range API is currently in beta, and Apple will likely release updates based on developer feedback. Further regulatory changes are also anticipated, as governments around the world grapple with the challenges of protecting children online. Developers should stay informed about these changes and proactively adapt their apps to ensure compliance. Apple also encourages developers to review their design practices to create safe and age-appropriate experiences for all users, with resources available on their website.