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Apple Adds 13, 16 and 18 Plus Age Ratings to Apps and Games: What to Know

In an email sent Thursday, Apple announced new age tiers of 13+, 16+, and 18+ to existing 4+ and 9+ ratings, supporting expanded parental controls.
Driven by upcoming parental control tools, Apple overhauled its system to support expanded child safety initiatives, according to an email sent Thursday.
Updated ratings are now visible in iOS 26 betas, and Apple automatically reassigned apps based on previous responses in App Store Connect.
Following noncompliance, updates are blocked and apps hidden from editorial spots, and app updates will be blocked in App Store Connect until new questions are answered.
Looking ahead, developers face a January 31, 2026 deadline and regulatory checks, and apps must comply with COPPA and GDPR and account for AI assistants and chatbot functionality.

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13 Articles

cnet

Center

Apple Adds 13, 16 and 18 Plus Age Ratings to Apps and Games: What to Know

The initiative expands upon child safety measures that Apple enacted this year.

7 days ago·New York, United States

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TechCrunch

Center

Apple broadens App Store's age-rating system

Apple has expanded its age-rating system to include 13+, 16+, and 18+ ratings, in addition to the existing ratings for younger users.

8 days ago·United States

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MacRumors

Center

Apple Overhauls App Store Age Ratings

Apple has announced an overhaul of the App Store's age rating system across all of its platforms. The company has added three new age rating tiers

8 days ago·United States

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9to5Mac

Center

Apple notifies developers of new App Store age rating system

Apple is notifying developers about automatic changes to the age rating of their apps and games, as it introduces more granular tiers.

8 days ago

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unsafe.sh

Apple App Store Updates Age Rating System, Adds 4+/9+18+ Age Groups to Provide More Granular Control

Apple has updated the App Store age rating policy, adding 4+/9+/18+ levels to the original 13+/16+, and providing an automatic assessment function to simplify developer operations. The policy supports the upcoming expanded family safety tools and requires developers to complete the submission of a new questionnaire by January 2026 to ensure privacy compliance.

7 days ago

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IMP

App Store Adds 13+, 16+, and 18+ Ratings in Major Child Safety Overhaul

New 13+, 16+, and 18+ categories aim to provide clearer content boundaries for families and greater compliance flexibility… The post App Store Adds 13+, 16+, and 18+ Ratings in Major Child Safety Overhaul appeared first on IMP.NEWS.

7 days ago

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