Apple Announces Texas Age Verification Plan, Requiring Parental Approval for All App Downloads Starting 2026

Beginning in 2026, the state of Texas will officially enforce a new age verification law targeting app stores, requiring platforms to confirm users are at least 18 years old before allowing any app downloads. According to Apple, starting 1 January 2026, all new Apple IDs created in Texas will be subject to mandatory age verification, with users under 18 required to link their accounts to a parent or guardian through the Family Sharing feature.

From that point onward, all downloads, in-app purchases and transactions will require explicit approval from the parent or guardian before completion. Apple says developers must align app behaviour with the new age-based restrictions and parental authorisation processes, aided by a suite of developer APIs, including the Declared Age Range API, plus new APIs to prompt renewed parental consent when major feature changes occur.

Parents will retain the ability to revoke a child’s app authorisation at any time, and comprehensive technical documentation will be released in the autumn to guide compliance with Texas Senate Bill 2420.