What new age rating requirements is Apple introducing to the App Store?
Apple is introducing new content descriptors in the App Store that mandate an 18+ minimum age rating for applications offering dating and relationship features, whether between real people or virtual companions. Developers must also disclose whether their software allows users to broadcast their real-world location to others, which will alter minimum age thresholds in specific regions depending on local legal requirements.
Historically, Apple reserved its adult-only category primarily for gambling, extreme violence, sexual content, and substance references. Extending this threshold closes verification gaps, coming at a time when Apple registers historic records in device adoption and global service engagement.
Why are AI companion bots included in these adult age restrictions?
Apple is explicitly targeting virtual companion simulators to shield minors from potential psychological risks associated with romance-oriented chatbots. Chatbots supporting sexual roleplay, dating behavior, or boyfriend and girlfriend simulation are now placed under the same restrictions as conventional dating software.
This heightened oversight on consumer software interactions arrives as the company explores next-generation software features, similar to when audio intelligence features enter beta across wearable devices to analyze spoken communication.
What are the deadlines and compliance steps developers must follow?
Development teams must complete an expanded survey inside the App Store Connect portal to maintain catalog compliance and avoid submission delays.
- Sign in to App Store Connect once the updated questionnaire goes live on November 16.
- Declare whether the app supports dating, relationships, or sexual interactions between users or AI bots.
- Specify whether the app includes capabilities for real-world live location sharing.
- Confirm the automatic assignment of the 18+ rating if romance or dating features are present.
- Finalize and submit the declaration before the mandatory deadline on January 12, 2027.