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Apple Users in Texas to Face Mandatory Age Verification Under New State Law
Developers must use age checks and parental consent for younger users as Texas enforces its App Store Accountability Act after a court ruling.
On Thursday, June 4, 2026, Apple began requiring age verification for new Apple Accounts in Texas to comply with the state's App Store Accountability Act .
A federal appeals court recently cleared the way for the law to take effect, allowing it to move forward while broader legal challenges continue.
For users under 18, the framework mandates joining a Family Sharing group to require parental consent for app downloads, and developers can use the Declared Age Range API to check ages.
Developers must obtain parental consent before minors access apps, with companies facing civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation for failing to comply.
While Apple has long opposed age-verification laws citing privacy risks, reports indicated CEO Tim Cook personally urged Texas Governor Greg Abbott to reject the legislation before it became law.