Apple has started informing developers about a significant update to the age rating system on the App Store. The company aims to provide parents with more accurate controls over the content accessible to their children through upcoming parental control features in iOS 26.
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More Detailed Age Categories to Better Target Users
In an email to developers, Apple announced the addition of three new age categories: 13+, 16+, and 18+. These are in addition to the existing classifications of 4+ and 9+. This change is part of a broader initiative to enhance family tools and align ratings with regional child protection standards.
The California-based company has clarified that age ratings are now assigned by country or region to reflect specific local criteria. Existing apps have already been automatically reclassified based on previous responses provided in the developer’s classification questionnaire. This new system is already visible in the beta versions of iOS 26 and other Apple systems currently under testing.
Developers Can Manually Adjust the Classification
If the new automatic classification does not match the intended target audience, it is possible to manually adjust the age category within App Store Connect. This is particularly useful for publishers of educational apps, games, or specialized content aimed at specific age groups.
Practically, an enhanced questionnaire will be sent out by January 2026 to facilitate this change. This questionnaire will also include mandatory questions on App Store Connect’s classification form, covering aspects like in-app controls, technical capabilities (such as AI or virtual assistants), medical or wellness-related topics, and potentially violent themes in the app.
Apple has given developers until January 31, 2026, to complete this new questionnaire. After this date, any app updates will be blocked until the required responses are provided.
A Push to Better Regulate Sensitive Content
Finally, Apple reminds developers that their applications must comply with international regulations, such as COPPA (United States) or GDPR (Europe). Developers are also asked to consider all features of the app, including AI assistants and chatbots, when assessing the frequency of sensitive content.
This overhaul of the classification system marks a significant turning point for the iOS ecosystem, amidst growing concerns about minors’ exposure to certain digital content.