● Covered by 2 sources · 2 reportsMedium impact2 neutral
Apple to Mandate 18+ Age Rating for Dating and AI Romantic Companion Apps
Key points
- New age rating requirements start November 16.
- Dating and relationship apps, including AI companions, get 18+ rating.
- Location-sharing apps may also be affected.
- Developers must comply by January 12, 2027.
- Apple's new policy also applies to apps with romantic relationship features.
- Character.AI and Replika have 220 million global downloads.
- xAI launched 3D animated AI companions last year.
New App Store Age Rating Requirements
Apple announced updated age rating requirements for the App Store, specifically targeting apps with location-sharing capabilities and dating or relationship functionalities. These changes are set to take effect on November 16.
Developers will need to declare the presence of these features when completing the age rating questionnaire in App Store Connect. This declaration process is a new mandatory step for app submissions and updates.
Minimum 18+ Rating for Dating and AI Companions
Under the new guidelines, any app that includes "Dating and Relationships" features will automatically receive a minimum age rating of 18+. This category encompasses features that facilitate connections between real people for dating or relationships, as well as virtual companions that engage users in sexual or romantic content.
Apps with "Shared Location" features, which involve sharing real-world location with others, may also see their minimum age rating impacted, though this can vary by region.
Regional Regulations and Compliance Timeline
Apple noted that specific regional regulations, such as those in Brazil, already mandate higher age ratings for apps with location-sharing (A16) and dating/relationship features (A18). Developers in these regions may be able to request lower official ratings under certain conditions, such as for family-oriented location-sharing apps.
Developers must provide these declarations when submitting new app updates or modifying their age rating questionnaire. All apps are required to complete these declarations by January 12, 2027, ensuring full compliance across the App Store.
Updates
- Apple's new policy also applies to apps with romantic relationship features.
- Character.AI and Replika have 220 million global downloads.
- xAI launched 3D animated AI companions last year.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
Apple updated its App Store policies, requiring all dating apps and AI companion apps with sexual or romantic content to carry an 18+ rating. Developers must implement new content descriptors by November 16 to reflect these age restrictions. This change aims to protect minors from inappropriate content and applies to apps like Character.AI and Replika, which have seen 220 million downloads globally.
Apple will require developers to declare if their apps include location-sharing or dating/relationship features, effective November 16. Apps with dating or relationship features, including AI romantic companions, will receive a minimum 18+ age rating on the App Store. This change impacts app developers by setting new age rating requirements and compliance deadlines.