New App Store age questions

Apple announced on Monday, November 2, that it will add two new questions to the questionnaire used to determine the minimum age for apps on the App Store. These changes aim to better categorize apps based on their content and functionality.

Location and virtual relationships

The first new question relates to apps that allow users to share their real location with others. The second concerns apps that include dating or relationship features, whether between real people or with a "virtual companion" that engages in romantic or sexual interactions.

Ratings system update

These questions were introduced just over a year after Apple revamped its app ratings system. In July 2025, the company added 13+, 16+, and 18+ ratings to replace the previous 12+ and 17+ categories. Developers must now answer these new questions with every app update, with a deadline of January 12, 2027 for all apps.

Focus on AI companions

The "virtual companion" category primarily targets AI-generated dating apps. This topic has gained attention in the U.S., where the Federal Trade Commission began an investigation in September 2025 into seven companies, including OpenAI and Meta, about the impact of AI chatbots on children.

Uncertainty around AI assistants

It is still unclear if AI assistants like ChatGPT will be classified as 18+. The rule focuses on apps that present themselves as companions, even if they can engage in role-playing. Location sharing may not always change the minimum age, though Brazil has stricter rules requiring A16 and A18 ratings for such features.

Enabling the 18+ restriction

The 18+ rating only appears on a child's iPhone if the device is set to restrict app content based on age. Parents can enable this feature by going to Settings, then Screen Time, and adjusting the App Store content restrictions to the desired age range.